Add-on module and methods thereof

A method for managing data traffic flowing through a network, comprising:

• receiving a plurality of data packets;
• analyzing payload data of said plurality of data packets based on a set of criteria;
• and
• routing said plurality of data packets through said network, said routing includes defining one or more ports for transmitting said data traffic, wherein said routing is dynamically performed to balance said data traffic across multiple outgoing ports.

A network device arrangement for managing data traffic through a network, comprising:

• a power module for providing power to at least circuitry of said network device arrangement;
• a processor module for providing processing capability to said network device arrangement;
• a set of network ports, said set of network ports including a set of input network ports for receiving said data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting said data traffic from said network device arrangement;
• a set of switch modules, said set of switch modules being configured to include at least a first switch module and a second switch module, said first switch module and said second switch module interacting with one another to perform a plurality of monitoring functions on said data traffic received by said set of switch modules;
• an add-on module for performing at least one of load balancing and filtering on said data traffic;
• and
• at least one monitoring port configured for receiving at least one of said data traffic traversing through said network, whereas said data traffic is configured to traverse said network device arrangement between said set of input network ports and said set of output network ports irrespective whether said power is provided to said circuitry, said processor module, said add-on module, and said set of switch modules of said network device arrangement.