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OwnerPeter N Martin, Icarus Sparry +3inventors
InventorsPeter N Martin, Icarus Sparry, William A Lindsay, Keith M Lane, Robert H Green
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The invention provides a method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100). The system (100) incorporates connection gateways (130, 200) controllable using the software for routing and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand. The method includes the steps of: providing the system (100) with its gateways executing the first version of the software; receiving the second version of software at the gateways; receiving an instruction at the gateways to perform an online switch of software; storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the gateways; transferring control of the gateways from the first version of software to Mini Media Handler (MMH) software executing in the gateways and operable to maintain established routing connections through the gateways; executing the second version of software concurrently with the MMH software to enabling the second version to recover the persistent data and configure itself in response thereto; and passing control of the gateways from the MMH software to the second version of software. The invention provides the advantage that the gateways can be switched from executing the first version of software to executing the second version of software without causing an interruption of communication traffic conveyed through the gateways.
A method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100), the system (100) incorporating connecting means (130, 140, 150) controllable using the software for routine and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers (110, 180) connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand, the method characterised in that it includes the steps of:
A method according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (130) is operable to interface between Ethernet communication traffic and E1 or T1 format pulse code modulated (PCM) communication traffic.
A method according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (130) comprises a plurality of connection gateways (200), each gateway (200) including a host processor (300) and an array (330) of digital signal processors (DSPs), the host processor operable to receive routing instructions and to allocate connection routes through the signal processors to provide communication paths between subscribers (110, 180).
A method according to any preceding claim wherein the first and second versions of software are both operable to render the connecting means (130) functional in the system (100) when invoked after a power interruption to the system (100).
A method according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means (130) includes basic operating software stored therein in non-volatile memory, the basic operating software operable to set flagging means (Fs) for enabling the second version of software to determine from the flagging means (Fs) whether it is invoked after a power supply interruption to the system (100) or is invoked when performing online switching of software in the system (100).
A communication system (100), the system (100) comprising connecting means (130, 140, 150) and software means for controlling the connecting means for routing and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers (110, 180) connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand, in which the software means comprises a first version of the software characterised in that the system also comprises
A communication system (100) for carrying out the method as claimed in any preceding claim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.