Patent ID: 8441961

Claim:
A machine-implemented method to automatically and continuously control a switch network using metadata, comprising: running a schedule loop at a high rate of repetition using a scheduler, wherein the schedule loop runs through an action list of methods and the action list comprises one or more static action methods, dynamic action methods, virtual secure channel methods, DPI response action methods, and remote metadata-driven switch action methods; executing one or more action methods from the action list, wherein one of the action methods is a null method; performing a deep packet inspection (DPI) of a packet or a packet flow and communicating the results of the DPI to the DPI response action method in order to generate a metadata command; passing the metadata command down a metadata command hierarchy in response to the action method executed; and reconfiguring the switch network in response to the metadata command, wherein the switch network comprises a switch configuration of a single metadata-driven switch, or a switch configuration of the single metadata-driven switch communicatively coupled to one or more foreign switches or one or more remote metadata-driven switches.