Patent ID: 6272522
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A general-purpose multiprocessor computer system comprising:a plurality of network interfaces each adapted to be coupled to respective external networks for receiving and sending data packets to and from said external networks via a particular communication protocol;a plurality of processors including a first processor providing a control processor and remaining ones of said processors each providing data packet switching processors, said data packet switching processors each being coupled to each one of said plurality of network interfaces; anda main memory coupled to each of said plurality of processors, said control processor receiving raw load status data from said external networks and generating load distribution configuration data therefrom, said load distribution configuration data being stored in said main memory for access by said data packet switching processors, said switching processors routing received ones of said data packets to a selected one of said external networks in accordance with information included in a header portion of said data packets and said load distribution configuration data.