METHOD AND GATEWAY FOR PERFORMING ON LINE SWITCHING OF SOFTWARE IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

The invention provides a method of performing online switching of software from executing a first version of operating software to executing a second version of operating software in a communication system (100). The system (100) incorporates connection gateways (130, 200) controllable using the software for routing and processing communication traffic flowing between subscribers connected to the system (100) in response to subscriber demand. The method includes the steps of: providing the system (100) with its gateways executing the first version of the software; receiving the second version of software at the gateways; receiving an instruction at the gateways to perform an online switch of software; storing persistent data describing at least routing connections established through the gateways; transferring control of the gateways from the first version of software to Mini Media Handler (MMH) software executing in the gateways and operable to maintain established routing connections through the gateways; executing the second version of software concurrently with the MMH software to enabling the second version to recover the persistent data and configure itself in response thereto; and passing control of the gateways from the MMH software to the second version of software. The invention provides the advantage that the gateways can be switched from executing the first version of software to executing the second version of software without causing an interruption of communication traffic conveyed through the gateways.