Abstract: A multi-service network switch allowing tiered access to system resources. Call policy records maintained by the switch designate quality of access (QoA) levels to different types of incoming calls. When a connection is requested, the call's call policy record is retrieved and the call's QoA level is identified. A requested resource is then allocated to the call based on the identified QoA level and current resource usage.

Abstract: A multi-service network switch capable of providing multiple network services from a single platform. The switch incorporates a distributed packet forwarding architecture where each of the various cards is capable of making independent forwarding decisions. The switch further allows for dynamic resource management for dynamically assigning modem and ISDN resources to an incoming call. The switch may also include fault management features to guard against single points of failure within the switch. The switch further allows the partitioning of the switch into multiple virtual routers where each virtual router has its own set of resources and a routing table. Each virtual router is further partitioned into virtual private networks for further controlling access to the network. The switch supports policy based routing where specific routing paths are selected based on a domain name, a telephone number, and the like.

Abstract: A multi-service network switch capable of providing multiple network services from a single platform. The switch incorporates a distributed packet forwarding architecture where each of the various cards is capable of making independent forwarding decisions. The switch further allows for dynamic resource management for dynamically assigning modem and ISDN resources to an incoming call. The switch may also include fault management features to guard against single points of failure within the switch. The switch further allows the partitioning of the switch into multiple virtual routers where each virtual router has its own wet of resources and a routing table. Each virtual router is further partitioned into virtual private networks for further controlling access to the network. The switch supports policy based routing where specific routing paths are selected based on a domain name, a telephone number, and the like.

Abstract: A physical network switch partitioned into a plurality of virtual routers (VRs) where each VR has allocated to it a set of resources and routing tables. The system resources are not tied to a particular network interface, allowing them to be flexibly partitioned among the various VRs. Each VR may also be partitioned into multiple virtual private networks (VPNs) for controlling access to certain portions of the VR. Access is controlled by filtering software that filters traffic directed to the VR based on criteria such as source and/or destination addresses.