Hitless software upgrades
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a first processor; and
a second processor;
wherein the first processor is configured to operate, using a first image, in an active mode and the second processor is configured to operate, using the first image, in a standby mode while the first processor is operating in the active mode;
wherein the first processor is capable of performing a set of functions while operating in the active mode;
wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the standby mode; and
wherein in response to a signal;
the first processor is configured to cease operating in the active mode;
the second processor is configured to, using the first image, start operating in the active mode when the first processor ceases operating in the active mode, wherein the second processor is capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the active mode;
the first processor is configured to boot with a second image, the second image being different from the first image, and subsequent to booting with the second image start operating in the standby mode using the second image, wherein the first processor is not capable of performing a second set of functions while operating in the standby mode;
the second processor is configured to cease operating in the active mode;
the first processor is configured to, using the second image, start operating in the active mode when the second processor ceases operating in the active mode, wherein the first processor is capable of performing the second set of functions when operating in the active mode; and
the second processor is configured to boot with the second image, and subsequent to booting with the second image start operating in the standby mode using the second image, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the second set of functions while operating in the standby mode.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a technique for facilitating software upgrade for a switching system comprising a first management processor and a second management processor and a set of one or more line processors, the techniques comprising receiving a signal to perform a software upgrade for a line processor from the set of line processors, and performing a software upgrade for the line processor without substantially affecting packet switching performed by the switching system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a first processor; and a second processor; wherein the first processor is configured to operate, using a first image, in an active mode and the second processor is configured to operate, using the first image, in a standby mode while the first processor is operating in the active mode; wherein the first processor is capable of performing a set of functions while operating in the active mode; wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the standby mode; and wherein in response to a signal; the first processor is configured to cease operating in the active mode; the second processor is configured to, using the first image, start operating in the active mode when the first processor ceases operating in the active mode, wherein the second processor is capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the active mode; the first processor is configured to boot with a second image, the second image being different from the first image, and subsequent to booting with the second image start operating in the standby mode using the second image, wherein the first processor is not capable of performing a second set of functions while operating in the standby mode; the second processor is configured to cease operating in the active mode; the first processor is configured to, using the second image, start operating in the active mode when the second processor ceases operating in the active mode, wherein the first processor is capable of performing the second set of functions when operating in the active mode; and the second processor is configured to boot with the second image, and subsequent to booting with the second image start operating in the standby mode using the second image, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the second set of functions while operating in the standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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operating a first processor in a network device in an active mode, wherein the first processor is capable of performing a set of functions while the first processor is operating in the active mode; operating a second processor in the network device in a standby mode while the first processor is operating in the active mode, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the standby mode; and upon receiving a signal; ceasing operation of the first processor in the active mode; switching operation of the second processor to the active mode when the first processor ceases operating in the active mode;
wherein the second processor is capable of performing the set of functions while operating in the active mode;booting the first processor with a new image, and subsequent to booting with the new image operating the first processor in the standby mode, wherein the first processor is not capable of performing a second set of functions while operating in the standby mode; ceasing operation of the second processor in the active mode; using the second image, switching operation of the first processor to the active mode when the second processor ceases operating in the active mode, wherein the first processor is capable of performing the second set of functions while operating in the active mode; and booting the second processor with the new image, and subsequent to booting with the new image operating the second processor in the standby mode, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing the second set of functions while operating in the standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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executing, using a second processor in a network device, a first program stored in a first region of memory, wherein the first region of a memory is associated with the second processor, wherein the second processor is operating in a standby mode, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing a set of functions while the second processor is operating in the standby mode, the set of functions including transmitting data packets from the network device; receiving, at the second processor, data comprising a second program, wherein the data is received from a first processor in the network device, wherein the data is received while the second processor is executing the first program, wherein the first processor is operating in an active mode, and wherein the first processor is capable of performing the set of functions associated with the first program while operating in the active mode; storing the data comprising the second program in a second region of the memory associated with the second processor; replacing the first program stored in the first region of the memory with the second program; and booting the second processor, wherein subsequent to booting the second processor is executing the second program and operating in the standby mode, wherein the second processor is not capable of performing a second set of functions while operating in the standby mode. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification