Systems and methods for stopping and starting a packet processing task

A network switch appliance for packet processing, comprising:

• a first network port for receiving a first packet;
• an instrument port for communicating with an instrument;
• and
• a processor configured for:
• determining a first workload at the network switch appliance at a first time instant;
• performing a task to process the first packet when the first workload is below a first prescribed threshold;
• and
• passing the first packet to the instrument port.

A computer program product having a non-transitory medium storing a set of instruction, an execution of which causes a process to be performed, wherein the process comprises:

• receiving a first packet at a first network port of the network switch appliance;
• determining a first workload at the network switch appliance at a first time instant;
• performing a task to process the first packet when the first workload is below a first prescribed threshold;
• and
• passing the first packet to an instrument port at the network switch appliance.

A method of packet processing by a network switch appliance, comprising:

• receiving a first packet at a first network port of the network switch appliance;
• determining a first resource at the network switch appliance at a first time instant;
• performing a task to process the first packet when the first resource is above a first prescribed threshold;
• and
• passing the first packet to an instrument port at the network switch appliance.

A network switch appliance for packet processing, comprising:

• a first network port for receiving a first packet;
• an instrument port for communicating with an instrument;
• and
• a processor configured for:
• determining a first resource at the network switch appliance at a first time instant;
• performing a task to process the first packet when the first resource is above a first prescribed threshold;
• and
• passing the first packet to the instrument port.

A computer program product having a non-transitory medium storing a set of instruction, an execution of which causes a process to be performed, wherein the process comprises:

• receiving a first packet at a first network port of the network switch appliance;
• determining a first resource at the network switch appliance at a first time instant;
• performing a task to process the first packet when the first resource is above a first prescribed threshold;
• and
• passing the first packet to an instrument port at the network switch appliance.