Network router having an internal automated backup

Abstract

A network router having an internal automated backup is provided. Specifically, the present invention provides a network router having at least one primary port facility, a switched fabric, and a backup card array. When a router card connected to a primary port facility fails, a failure message is automatically sent to the switched fabric. The switched fabric then disconnects the failed card from the primary port facility and places it in an extended bay. Thereafter, the switched fabric connects a backup router card from the backup card array to the primary port facility. In addition, the primary port facilities under the present invention can include a primary and a secondary processor for more reliable communication.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method of communicating data through network router, comprising: 
 (a) connecting a data communication network to the network router, the network router having one or more primary port facilities, each primary port facility having a primary processor and a secondary processor, the processors having the same function; and    (b) managing communication through the network router by the primary processor of each primary port; and    (c) switching communications through the network router between the primary processor and the secondary processor.    
   
   
       17 . The method of communication of  claim 16 , further comprising switching management of the network router between the primary processor and the secondary processor based on the volume of information being communicated.  
   
   
       18 . The method of communication of  claim 17 , wherein management of communication is switched between the primary processor and the secondary processor at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       19 . The method of communication of  claim 17 , further comprising switching management of communication between the primary processor and the secondary processor when the volume of information being communicated exceeds a predetermined volume.  
   
   
       20 . The method of communication of  claim 19 , wherein management of communication is switched between the primary processor and the secondary processor at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       21 . The method of communication of  claim 16 , further comprising connecting a router card to the primary processor and the secondary processor.  
   
   
       22 . The method of communication of  claim 21 , further comprising connecting the router card in serial to the primary processor and the secondary processor.  
   
   
       23 . The method of communication of  claim 22 , further comprising robotically disconnecting the router card from its connection to the primary and secondary processor if the router card fails.  
   
   
       24 . The method of communication of  claim 23 , further comprising robotically connecting an unused backup router card to the primary and secondary processor to replace the failed router card.  
   
   
       25 . A method of providing redundancy and automated backup for communications of information packets in a network router, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) controlling communications with a primary processor connected to a primary port of the network router;    (b) detecting that more than a predetermined volume of information packets are being communicated;    (c) switching management of communications between the primary processor and a secondary processor also connected to the primary port of the network router.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising switching management of communications between the primary processor and the secondary processor at predetermined time intervals.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 (a) connecting the primary processor and the secondary processor to a router card;    (b) detecting that the router card failed;    (c) sending a message regarding the router card failed to an information system across a robotic switching fabric:    (d) in response, activating a robotic replacement system;    (e) robotically retrieving a replacement router card;    (f) robotically removing the failed router card from its connection with the primary processor and the secondary processor;    (g) robotically connecting the replacement router card to the primary processor and the secondary processor.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising robotically storing the failed router card in an expanded bay.  
   
   
       29 . A network router having redundant and backup capabilities comprising: 
 (a) a primary port having two processors, the processors each capable of identically managing communications through the router card;    (b) a router card connected to the processors;    (c) the router card further connected to a robotic switching fabric; and    (d) an array of replacement router cards connected to the robotic switching fabric.