Patent ID: 6378009
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a computer switching system having a peripheral switch for connecting one or more computers to one or more user stations, a method of transferring switch information including at least one of control information, status information, security information and data to the peripheral switch from a remote terminal different from the user stations and at a remote site while the peripheral switch simultaneously links a selected one of the computers to a selected one of the user stations, the method comprising:establishing a communication path between the selected computer and the selected user station using at least one KVM switch port of the peripheral switch; generating, at the remote terminal, a remote information signal having switch information; packetizing the remote information signal thereby creating a network packet; transmitting the network packet to a switch service port of the peripheral switch via a network, the switch service port being different from the KVM switch port of the peripheral switch and being associated with communication of said control information, status information, security information, or data to the peripheral switch for operational use by the peripheral switch; receiving the network packet at the peripheral switch; translating the network packet to a proprietary information signal identifying the switch information; and responding to the proprietary information signal identifying the switch information.