Patent ID: 7188363
Filing Date: 2007-03-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A firewall device for inspecting packets transmitted over a network comprising: a) a firewall core connected to each of a plurality of communication interfaces and executing at least one inspection module wherein each at least one inspection module is software code configured to carry out an operation of providing protocol information for a particular protocol to said firewall core; and b) a new inspection module inserted into an operating memory of said firewall core during operation of said firewall core wherein said new inspection module is software code configured to carry out an operation of providing protocol inspection for a new particular protocol to said firewall core wherein said new particular protocol is different from each said particular protocol provided by each said at least one inspection module and wherein each said at least one inspection module and new inspection module are each further configured to indicate to said firewall core which protocol for data packets said inspection module is configured to provide inspection.