# US 11,310,110 B2 · Provisional modes for multi-mode network devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,310,110 B2 - Document ID: US11310110B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/931,087 - Filed: 2020-07-16 - Published: 2020-11-05 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-30 - Assignees: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Applicants: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Inventors: Kwun-Nan Kevin Lin; Tian Lei - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310110B2 ## CPC - H04L 41/0856: {by backing up or archiving configuration information} - H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events - H04L 41/0869: Validating the configuration within one network element - H04L 41/28: Restricting access to network management systems or functions, e.g. using authorisation function to access network configuration - H04L 45/02: Topology update or discovery - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Techniques for implementing a provisional mode in a multi-mode network device (i.e., a network device that supports at least first and second modes of operation) are provided. According to one embodiment, the network device can receive, while running in the first mode, a request to enter the second mode. In response to the request, the network device can enter a third mode that is a provisional version of the second mode. Then, while running in the third mode, the network device can accept one or more configuration commands or settings for the second mode while simultaneously processing live network traffic according to the first mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A network device comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: operate in a third mode of operation, in which network traffic data is processed according to a first mode of operation and in which configuration data for a second mode of operation is received as input and stored in a configuration file; receive a command to enter the second mode of operation; reboot the network device responsive to the command to enter the second mode of operation; and after the reboot of the network device responsive to the command to enter the second mode of operation, check whether the network device can boot into the second mode of operation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The network device of claim 1, wherein the command to enter the second mode of operation is a command to reload the network device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The network device of claim 1, wherein the program code that causes the processor to check whether the network device can boot into the second mode of operation comprises program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to attempt to read values from the configuration file for the second mode of operation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The network device of claim 3, wherein the program code comprises further program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: enter the first mode of operation responsive to failing the attempt to read values from the configuration file for the second mode of operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The network device of claim 1, wherein the program code that causes the processor to read values from the configuration file for the second mode of operation comprises program code that causes the processor to check whether the configuration file includes a value that enables the second mode of operation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The network device of claim 5, wherein the program code comprises further program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: enter the second mode of operation responsive to finding the value that enables the second mode of operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The network device of claim 5, wherein the program code comprises further program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: enter the first mode of operation responsive to failing to find the value that enables the second mode of operation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The network device of claim 1, wherein the first mode of operation is a switch/router mode, and wherein the second mode of operation is a port extender mode. ### Claim 9 A network device comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: operate in a third mode of operation, in which network traffic data is processed according to a first mode of operation and in which configuration data for a second mode of operation is received as input and stored in a configuration file; receive a command to enter the first mode of operation; remove a value enabling the second mode of operation from the configuration file; and enable the first mode of operation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The network device of claim 9, wherein the program code that causes the processor to enable the first mode of operation does not reboot the network device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The network device of claim 9, wherein the program code comprises further program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: receive a command to enter the second mode of operation; and enter the third mode of operation responsive to receiving the command to enter the second mode of operation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The network device of claim 9, wherein the first mode of operation is a switch/router mode and wherein the second mode of operation is a port extender mode. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: operating a network device in a third mode of operation, in which network traffic data is processed according to a first mode of operation and in which configuration data for a second mode of operation is received as input and stored in a configuration file; receiving a command for the network device to enter the second mode of operation; rebooting the network device in response to the receiving of the command for the network device to enter the second mode of operation; and checking, by the network device and after the rebooting of the network device in response to the receiving of the command, whether the network device can boot into the second mode of operation. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the command to enter the second mode of operation is a command to reload the network device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein checking whether the network device can boot into the second mode of operation comprises attempting to read values from the configuration file for the second mode of operation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising entering the first mode of operation responsive to failing the attempt to read values from the configuration file for the second mode of operation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein checking whether the network device can boot into the second mode of operation comprises checking whether the configuration file includes a value that enables the second mode of operation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising entering the second mode of operation responsive to finding the value that enables the second mode of operation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising entering the first mode of operation responsive to failing to find the value that enables the second mode of operation.