IN-SERVICE SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON CARDS OF VIRTUAL PARTITION OF NETWORK ELEMENT THAT INCLUDES DIRECTING TRAFFIC AWAY FROM CARDS OF VIRTUAL PARTITION

摘要

A method within network element, for directing traffic away from cards of first virtual partition, before changing software on cards of first virtual partition, until after cards of first virtual partition have session data, while network element services sessions. Redistribute sessions, serviced by cards of first virtual partition, to cards of second virtual partition. Each of virtual partitions has control card and line card. Direct traffic away from cards of first virtual partition, prior to taking line card of first virtual partition offline. After redistributing sessions, change software on line card of first virtual partition, while cards of second virtual partition service sessions, including redistributed sessions. After changing software, synchronize session data, for sessions serviced by cards of second virtual partition to cards of first virtual partition. Traffic is directed away from cards before changing software on line card, and until after synchronizing session data to cards of first partition.