Serial interface for reprogramming multiple network interface cards and method of operation
First Claim
1. For use in a communication device comprising a plurality of network interface cards for communicating with an external data network, an apparatus for transferring a replacement program into a plurality of dedicated memories in said plurality of network interface cards, said apparatus comprising:
- a replacement program memory capable of storing said replacement program;
a first microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith;
a second microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith,wherein said first microcontroller is capable of monitoring a first signal line to said replacement program memory to determine if said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program from said replacement program memory to said second dedicated memory and wherein said first microcontroller, in response to a determination that said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program, is capable of transferring at least a portion of said replacement program to said first dedicated memory as said replacement program is read from said replacement program memory by said second microcontroller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for transferring a replacement program into dedicated memories in a plurality of network interface cards includes: 1) a replacement program memory for storing the replacement program; 2) a first microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; and 3) a second microcontroller coupled to the replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith. The first microcontroller monitors a first signal line to the replacement program memory to determine if the second microcontroller is transferring the replacement program from the replacement program memory to the second dedicated memory. The first microcontroller, in response to a determination that the second microcontroller is transferring the replacement program, transfers at least a portion of the replacement program to the first dedicated memory as the replacement program is read from the replacement program memory by the second microcontroller.
7 Citations
25 Claims
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1. For use in a communication device comprising a plurality of network interface cards for communicating with an external data network, an apparatus for transferring a replacement program into a plurality of dedicated memories in said plurality of network interface cards, said apparatus comprising:
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a replacement program memory capable of storing said replacement program; a first microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; a second microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith, wherein said first microcontroller is capable of monitoring a first signal line to said replacement program memory to determine if said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program from said replacement program memory to said second dedicated memory and wherein said first microcontroller, in response to a determination that said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program, is capable of transferring at least a portion of said replacement program to said first dedicated memory as said replacement program is read from said replacement program memory by said second microcontroller.
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2. For use in a communication device comprising a plurality of network interface cards for communicating with an external data network, an apparatus for simultaneously transferring a replacement program into a plurality of dedicated memories in said plurality of network interface cards, said apparatus comprising:
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a replacement program memory capable of storing said replacement program; a first microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; a second microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith, wherein said first microcontroller determines if said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program from said replacement program memory to said second dedicated memory and wherein said first microcontroller, in response to a determination that said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program, transfers at least a portion of said replacement program to said first dedicated memory as said replacement program is read from said replacement program memory by said second microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A switch capable of communicating with a data network comprising:
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a plurality of network interface cards, each of said plurality of network interface cards having an external interface for communicating with said external data network; a switch matrix coupled to an internal interface of each of said plurality of interface cards and capable of transmitting data therebetween; an apparatus for simultaneously transferring a replacement program into a plurality of dedicated memories in said plurality of network interface cards, said apparatus comprising; a replacement program memory capable of storing said replacement program; a first microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a first dedicated memory associated therewith; a second microcontroller coupled to said replacement program memory and having a second dedicated memory associated therewith, wherein said first microcontroller determines if said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program from said replacement program memory to said second dedicated memory and wherein said first microcontroller, in response to a determination that said second microcontroller is transferring said replacement program, transfers at least a portion of said replacement program to said first dedicated memory as said replacement program is read from said replacement program memory by said second microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification