Independent restoration of control plane and data plane functions
US6601186B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/5016
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a computer system having a modular control process, and a modular device driver process that works in conjunction with the control process. The device driver process is capable of continuing operation even if the control process is terminated, for example, upon detection of a fault. In one aspect, the invention provides a network device that includes a control plane and a data plane. The control plane includes a modular control application for establishing and terminating network connections, and the data plane has an independent, modular device driver process for transmitting data over network connections established by the control application. The device driver process is capable of continuing to transmit data over established network connections even if the control application is terminated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.