Patent ID: 6886107
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for configuring a control plane in a network device having at least one line card for receiving and transmitting data, said at least one line card being communicably coupled to at least one switch fabric via at least one data path, said apparatus comprising: first and second control plane processor elements, each operative to generate at least one status signal indicative of the operational status of the respective processor element; first and second control paths associated with said first and second control plane processor elements respectively and communicably coupling said first and second control plane processor elements respectively to said at least one line card, said first and second control paths being isolated from said at least one data path; selection logic operative in response to said at least one status signal from said first and second control plane processor elements for generating at least one identification signal for identifying one of said first and second control plane processor elements as an Master control plane processor and for communicating said at least one identification signal to said first and second control plane processor elements; one of said first and second control plane processor elements being operative in response to receipt of said at least one identification signal to configure itself as said active control plane processor element; and said active control plane processor element being operative to transmit configuration information over the associated control path to said at least one line card, said configuration information includes at least one forwarding table.