Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a communication network having a plurality of end devices protected by multilayer switches that receive data packets in different formats for transmission to the end devices, translate received data packets to a common data format for inspection to determine if they pose a security threat, and if they do not pose a threat, forward the data packets to their end device destinations.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a communication network having a plurality of end devices protected by multilayer switches that receive data packets in different formats for transmission to the end devices, translate received data packets to a common data format for inspection to determine if they pose a security threat, and if they do not pose a threat, forward the data packets to their end device destinations.

Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides a communication network having a plurality of end devices protected by multilayer switches that receive data packets in different formats for transmission to the end devices, translate received data packets to a common data format for inspection to determine if they pose a security threat, and if they do not pose a threat, forward the data packets to their end device destinations.

Abstract: A communication network comprising: a plurality of end devices; and a plurality of multilayer switches connected to the end devices that direct transmission of data packets between the end devices, wherein each switch comprises: a plurality of communication ports for receiving and transmitting data packets in different data formats; a data format translator that receives data packets configured in different data formats via the ports and reconfigures the data to a common data format; an application aware engine that receives data packets in the common format and inspects content of the received packets at a plurality of OSI layers, which plurality includes layer 7, to determine if they represent a security threat; and a wire speed packet switch that directs packets, which the application aware engine determines do not represent a security threat, to their destinations.