Patent ID: 6327243
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
For use in a packet switched network, a redundant switch comprising a primary controller capable of routing data packets from an input interface to an output interface of said redundant switch and a secondary controller capable of performing data packet routing tasks performed by said primary controller after a switchover event, said primary controller comprising:an inbound queue capable of storing data packets inbound to said redundant switch;an outbound queue capable of storing data packets outbound from said redundant switch; anda control processor capable of processing a first data packet stored in said inbound queue and assigning an identifier to said first data packet, wherein said control processor further assigns said identifier to a second data packet, said second data packet associated with said first data packet and stored in one of said inbound queue and said outbound queue, wherein said first data packet is removed from said inbound queue only upon completion of all processing associated with said first data packet and wherein a removal of said first data packet from said inbound queue enables said second data packet to be transferred to said secondary controller during a switchover.