Patent ID: 6975632
Filing Date: 2005-12-13
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for a single card to support multiple types of network service, comprising: initializing the card, after a reset, by executing initialization software stored in a first memory with a first processor, the first memory and the first processor located on the card: detecting a first request to establish a first network connection that flows through the card; determining a first type of network service used by the first network connection; downloading in response to the determining, to second memory located on the card, software that is specific to the first type of network service; executing the software to process traffic over the first network connection according to the first type of network service, the software stored in the second memory and the executing performed with a second processor, the second memory and the second processor located on the card; detecting a second request to establish a second network connection that flows through the card; determining a second type of network service used by the second network connection; downloading in response to the determining a second type of network service, to the second memory located on the card, software that is specific to the second type of network service; and executing the software that is specific to the second type of network service to process traffic over the second network connection according to the second type of network service, the software that is specific to the first type of network service being executed simultaneously with the software that is specific to the second type of network service so that the card can simultaneously process traffic over the first connection and the second connection according to the first and second service types, respectively, the software that is specific to the second type of network service also stored in the second memory and the executing of the software that is specific to the second type of network service also performed with the second processor, neither the first nor the second processors being digital signal processors (DSPs).