Abstract: A method and system is provided to enable redundancy in the communication between a plurality of peripheral devices and redundant hosts through redundant switches. The peripheral devices and the host are connected through a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-Express) architecture in a data processing system. In an embodiment of the invention, the system includes a switch, a redundant switch, and switch-level exchanging means. The switch-level exchanging means enables the exchange of data packets between the peripheral devices and the host, through an available switch. The available switch is either the switch or the redundant switch. In another embodiment of the invention, the system also includes a redundant host and host-level exchanging means. The host-level exchanging means enables the exchange of data packets between an available host and the available switch. The available host is either the host or the redundant host.

Abstract: Using one set of processors for downloading (and associated processing of) signature data corresponding to security application, and using another set of processors for forwarding/switching. The associated processing may include decompression of the data, authentication (hash computation and verification). Due to the use of separate processors for signature downloads, the forwarding throughput performance of a switching device (e.g., gateway/router) may not be impeded at least substantially during signature data download. Similarly, an out-of-band connection can also optionally be used for signature download.