Abstract: There is disclosed a data synchronization apparatus for maintaining synchronization between a source data file and a copy data file. The data synchronization apparatus comprises: 1) a bulk copy controller for copying a plurality of data records from the source data file to the copy data file; and 2) an update controller for detecting a change in a data record previously copied by the bulk copy controller from the source data file to the copy data file and copying the changed data record from the source data file to the copy data file.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a packet switched network, a redundant switch comprising 1) a primary packet router for routing a first stream of data packets from an input interface to an output interface of the redundant switch; 2) a secondary packet router for routing a second stream of data packets corresponding to the first stream of data packets from the input interface to the output interface; 3) a packet ID generator for attaching a unique identifier to each data packet in the first stream of data packets and attaching the same unique identifier to each corresponding data packet in the second stream of data packets; and 4) a comparator for comparing a first unique identifier associated with a first data packet processed by the primary packet router with a second unique identifier associated with a second data packet associated with the secondary packet router.

Abstract: There is disclosed a redundant switch comprising a primary controller capable of routing data packets from an input interface to an output interface and a secondary controller capable of performing data packet routing tasks performed by the primary controller after a switchover.