Patent ID: 8161139

Claim:
A data switch, comprising: a plurality of interfaces, at least one network processor, a first memory, and a switch fabric configured to enable the interfaces to receive packets from the network, to enable the at least one network processor to process the received packets, and to enable the switch fabric to switch the received packets between the interfaces and output at least some of the received packets onto the network in accordance with a first boot software image that controls operation of the at least one network processor; a first power supply configured to supply power to the plurality of interfaces, the at least one network processor, the first memory and the switch fabric; and an external device interface module comprising an external port, a second memory, a device interface processor coupled to the second memory and the external port, and a second power supply configured to supply power to the external device interface independent of the first power supply, the external device interface module configured to receive via the external port and store in the second memory a second boot software image concurrently while the at least one network processor operates in accordance with the first boot software image and without interruption or reconfiguration of the at least one network processor, the second boot software image configured to supersede the first boot software image.