Patent ID: 8607074

Claim:
A method for processing data packets in a mobile data network that includes a radio access network coupled to a core network, the method comprising the steps of: sending and receiving network messages, by a plurality of antennas, between user equipment and a plurality of basestations in the radio access network, each basestation communicating with a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas; performing by a breakout appliance communicating with a NodeB in the one of the plurality of basestations the steps of: defining an existing first data path in the radio access network for non-broken out data; defining a second data path for broken out data; identifying first data received from a corresponding basestation as data to be broken out; sending the first data on the second data path; forwarding other data that is not broken out on the first data path; and performing a first service with respect to internet protocol (IP) data sent to first user equipment in response to an IP data request in the first data from the first user equipment; and defining a plurality of states, each state defining a different set of steps performed by the breakout appliance, wherein the plurality of states comprises an end of life state that erases at least one block of executable code in the breakout appliance that is necessary for normal function of the breakout appliance to render the breakout appliance a lifeless piece of hardware that cannot boot.