Network route processor using state-based switchover

An apparatus for preserving mobility network connections in a route processor having first and seccnd processors for performing routing functions, the apparatus comprising

• a processing system;
• a machine-readable medium including instructions for performing the following:
• using the first processor to establish connections through tunnels associated with devices in the mobility network;
• recording a plurality of route events as a plurality of states, the route events received from the mobility network for route events associated with devices, wherein a protocol action is identified as a route event;
• initiating a switchover from the first processor to the second processor;
• using the plurality of states to reproduce forwarding information and program hardware for the second processor, wherein a state in the plurality of states includes an authentication state associated with an authentication event;
• reconnecting control messaging to maintain the tunnels associated with the devices;
• and
• using the second processor and the reproduced routing information to preserve the mobility network connections through the tunnels subsequent to initiating a switchover, wherein reconnecting the control messaging comprises preserving authentication information for the devices such that the devices do not have to re-authenticate subsequent to the switchover.

An apparatus for preserving mobility network connections in a route processor having first and second processors for performing routing functions, the apparatus comprising

• means for using the first processor to establish connections through tunnels associated with devices in the mobility network;
• means for recording a plurality of route events as a plurality of states, the route events received from the mobility network for route events associated with devices, wherein a protocol action is identified as a route event;
• means for initiating a switchover from the first processor to the second processor,
• means for using the plurality of states to reproduce forwarding information and program hardware for the second processor, wherein a state in the plurality of states include an authentication state associated with an authentication event;
• means for reconnecting control messaging to maintain tunnels associated with the devices;
• and
• means for using the second processor and the reproduced routing information to preserve the mobility network connections through the tunnels subsequent to initiate a switchover, wherein reconnecting the control messaging comprises preserving authentication information for the devices such that the devices do not have to re-authenticate subsequent to the switchover.

A computer-readable medium including instructions for preserving mobility network connections in a route processor having first and second processors for performing routing functions, the computer-readable medium comprising

• one or more processors;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to:
• use the first processor to establish connections through tunnels associated with devices in the mobility network;
• record a plurality of route events as a plurality of states, the route events received from the mobility network for route events associated with devices, wherein a protocol action is identified as a route events;
• initiate a switchover from the first processor to the second processor;
• use the plurality of states to reproduce forwarding information and program hardware for the second processor, wherein a state in the plurality of states includes an authentication state associated with an authentication event;
• reconnect control messaging to maintain the tunnels associated with the devices;
• and
• use the second processor and the reproduced routing information to preserve the mobility network connections through the tunnels subsequent to initiating a switchover, wherein reconnecting the control messaging comprises preserving authentication information for the devices such that the devices do not have to re-authenticate subsequent to the switchover.