Method and apparatus for maintaining data communication during a line card soft reset operation

摘要

A method and apparatus for maintaining data communication during a line card soft reset operation is described. A line card processor is reset while an operational configuration of a data path coupled to the line card processor is preserved. Interlink management interface link layer (ILMI) support and switched virtual connection (SVC) signalling links are maintained through a control card circuit coupled to the line card circuit while the line card processor is being reset. Line card connection parameters are stored in the control card circuit while the line card processor is being reset. Data path devices are readable as well as writable to allow connection parameters to be read from the data path devices. A soft reset revision number is provided and used to identify software loads requiring a hard reset operation.