Content service aggregation system

A content services aggregation device coupled to a network comprising:

• at least one input/output port coupled to the network;
• a plurality of compute elements adapted to perform a set of network services including a stateful firewall, Network Address Translation, IP forwarding, bandwidth management, Secure Sockets Layer Protocol, and virtual private networking, based on data content in packet traffic on the network;
• a switching fabric coupling the compute elements to each other and said at least one input/output port;
• and
• control code executed on ones of said plurality of compute elements to enable said network services.

A network services device, comprising:

• a plurality of compute elements optimized to provide network content services on data packets coupled to the device, including:
• means for performing a stateful firewall service;
• means for performing Network Address Translation;
• means for performing Internet Protocol forwarding;
• means for performing bandwidth management;
• means for performing Secure Sockets Layer operations, and
• means for performing virtual private networking;
• and
• a switching fabric coupling said plurality of compute elements;
• and
• an input/output element coupled to said switching fabric and said network.

A network content services device, coupled to a network and at least one secure content domain, comprising:

• a plurality of compute elements;
• a first input/output port coupled to said network;
• a second input/output port coupled to the secure content domain;
• a switching fabric coupling the input/output ports and compute elements;
• code operable on the plurality of compute elements to provide firewall protection, Network Address Translation, Internet Protocol forwarding, bandwidth management, Secure Sockets Layer operations, Web caching, Web switching, and virtual private networking to the secure content domain.