Appliance in a mobile data network that spans multiple enclosures

A method for processing data packets in a mobile data network that includes a radio access network coupled to a core network, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) a plurality of antennas sending and receiving network messages between user equipment and a plurality of basestations in the radio access network, each basestation communicating with a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas;
• (B) providing an appliance coupled to the core network, the appliance comprising:
• a plurality of enclosures coupled to each other to allow communication between the plurality of enclosures, each enclosure including hardware, a first of the plurality of enclosures including first software, the first software comprising:
• an interface for equipment external to the appliance to interact with the appliance, wherein the interface hides details of the hardware in the plurality of enclosures;
• and
• a plurality of commands for the interface, wherein the plurality of commands comprises configuration management commands for managing configuration of the appliance;
• (C) equipment external to the appliance in the mobile data network communicating with the appliance on the interface using at least one of the plurality of commands.