Open internet protocol services platform

A method for providing an Open IP Services Platform that is capable of performing various network functions according to the specific network components that are disposed therein, and according to a network topology selected for those network components, said method comprising the steps of:

• 1) providing a single board computer running an open architecture Operation System, at least two bus connectors coupled to the single board computer, and used for receiving cards that perform network functions, a switch/router board coupled to the single board computer, and a plurality of network ports coupled to the switch/router board;
• 2) coupling a first set of network devices to the at least two connector buses;
• and
• 3) configuring interconnections between the first set of network devices, the switch/router board, and the single board computer to thereby define a first network function and a first network topology for the Open IP Services Platform.

A system including an Open Internet Protocol (IP) services platform for integrating the functions of at least two network services in a single unit that does not require external wires to couple the at least two network services together, said system comprising:

• a single board computer (SBC), including memory;
• an open architecture Operating System (OS) stored in the memory;
• at least two bus connectors for receiving cards that perform network functions, wherein the at least two bus connectors are coupled to the SBC;
• a switch/router board coupled to the single board computer;
• a plurality of network ports, wherein the plurality of network ports are coupled on a first side to the switch/router board, and provide a connection to a network on a second side thereof;
• and
• configuration software for controlling interconnections between the at least two bus connectors, the switch/router board, and the SBC.