In networks of interconnected router nodes for routing data traffic, a method of and system for imperceptibly upgrading router node software and the like without traffic interruption
First Claim
1. In a network data multiple routing system comprised of at least a pair of separate paths for routing data packets, each path containing one or more router nodes successively connected between input and output router nodes and with the input and output router nodes being common to each path, each router node being controlled by software processing and management information for routing the data packets along at least more than one of the paths between the input router node and the output terminal router nodes, a method of revising and upgrading the original software information in a preselected one of said router nodes along said paths that comprises, continuing the data packet routing along said paths between said router nodes with said original software information controlling said preselected router node;
- during such continued routing, preparing new software information within said preselected router node from said original software information and including revisions and upgrades while said preselected router node continues routing data packets between the nodes; and
, after such preparing of the new software information within said preselected router node, swapping the new software information for the original software information in said preselected router node during its continuing of the data packet routing along said path without interruption and with the swapping effected imperceptibly to all router nodes between the input router node and the output terminal router node of the routing system.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In networks of interconnected router nodes for forwarding data traffic along a predetermined path of the network, a method of and system for imperceptibly upgrading router node software and the like without traffic interruption through a novel preparation of upgraded software in a router while that router continues to forward data under the control of its original software, and then swapping the upgraded software for the original software without disruption.
108 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a network data multiple routing system comprised of at least a pair of separate paths for routing data packets, each path containing one or more router nodes successively connected between input and output router nodes and with the input and output router nodes being common to each path, each router node being controlled by software processing and management information for routing the data packets along at least more than one of the paths between the input router node and the output terminal router nodes, a method of revising and upgrading the original software information in a preselected one of said router nodes along said paths that comprises, continuing the data packet routing along said paths between said router nodes with said original software information controlling said preselected router node;
- during such continued routing, preparing new software information within said preselected router node from said original software information and including revisions and upgrades while said preselected router node continues routing data packets between the nodes; and
, after such preparing of the new software information within said preselected router node, swapping the new software information for the original software information in said preselected router node during its continuing of the data packet routing along said path without interruption and with the swapping effected imperceptibly to all router nodes between the input router node and the output terminal router node of the routing system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- during such continued routing, preparing new software information within said preselected router node from said original software information and including revisions and upgrades while said preselected router node continues routing data packets between the nodes; and
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6. A network data multiple routing system having, in combination, at least a pair of separate paths for routing data packets, each path containing one or more router nodes successively connected between input and output router nodes and with the input and output router nodes being common to each path, each router node being controlled by software processing and managing information for routing data packets along at least more than one of the paths between the input router node and the output terminal router nodes for the paths;
- apparatus for revising and upgrading the original software information in a preselected one of said router nodes along said paths comprising means operable during the continued data packet routing along said path between said router nodes for preparing new software information within said preselected router node from said original software information within said preselected router node and including revisions and upgrades, while said preselected router node continues routing data packets between the nodes; and
, means operable after such preparing of the new software information within said preselected router node, for swapping the prepared new software information for the original software information in said preselected router node during the continuing of the data routing along said path without interruption, the swapping means enabling said swapping imperceptibly to all router nodes between the input router node and the output terminal router node of the routing system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- apparatus for revising and upgrading the original software information in a preselected one of said router nodes along said paths comprising means operable during the continued data packet routing along said path between said router nodes for preparing new software information within said preselected router node from said original software information within said preselected router node and including revisions and upgrades, while said preselected router node continues routing data packets between the nodes; and
Specification