Abstract: Computer program products supporting integrated communication systems exchanging data and information between various networks and network formats through network interfaces. One computer program product executes in an external processor performing software switching for an operably connected communication system. Network interface connection information reflecting the result of the software switching decision is communicated by an external processor to the communication system for implementing the software switching decision therein between network interfaces according to some functional application of the received data. Another corresponding computer program product executes in a processor within a communication system for interacting with the operably connected external processor to implement the switching decision.