Multi-path arrangement of redundant inline-bypass switches

A method of packet processing comprising:

• receiving a packet at a first inline-bypass switch appliance;
• determining a state signal associated with the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet from the first inline-bypass switch appliance based on the state signal, wherein said transmitting includes providing the packet to a first inline tool if the determined state signal indicates that a second inline-bypass switch appliance did not process the packet using a second inline tool associated with the second inline-bypass switch appliance, and bypassing the first inline tool if the determined state signal indicates that the second inline-bypass switch appliance processed the packet using the second inline tool.

A computer program product including one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer program instructions, execution of which by a processor causes the processing system to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a packet at a first inline-bypass switch appliance;
• determining a state signal associated with the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet from the first inline-bypass switch appliance based on the state signal, wherein said transmitting includes providing the packet to a first inline tool if the determined state signal indicates that a second inline-bypass switch appliance did not process the packet using a second inline tool associated with the second inline-bypass switch appliance, and bypassing the inline tool if the determined state signal indicates that the second inline-bypass switch appliance processed the packet using the second inline tool.