×

Performing an in-service software reload on a network device

  • US 8,578,007 B1
  • Filed: 03/29/2012
  • Issued: 11/05/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method, comprising:

  • executing a software reload on a network device, wherein hardware associated with the network device continues to forward network traffic during the software reload, wherein a kernel of the network device operates unaffected in a protected address space, and wherein the kernel preserves local checkpointed and shared memory data;

    shutting down application processes running on the network device gracefully;

    maintaining continuity of network traffic between the network device and another network device coupled to the network device through a network, wherein the hardware of the network device is not reset during the software reload and continues to forward the network traffic; and

    signaling the another network device to extend a keep alive timeout duration for an amount of time that corresponds to an anticipated duration for the software reload;

    wherein the shutting down further comprising;

    if the software reload is in response to a software upgrade that includes installation of a new software;

    notifying pre-determined set of processes of the software reload;

    terminating all application processes running on the network device except application processes needed for installation of the new software and server processes;

    loading the new software into memory of the network device; and

    terminating the application processes needed for loading the new software;

    if the software reload is in response to a failure recovery;

    terminating client processes; and

    terminating server processes.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×