Abstract: A method of validating a license for a software application installed on a switch includes receiving a license file generated to provide a license for the software application, in which the license file contains a license key and license information for the switch, installing the license file on the switch to activate the license, validating the license internally on the switch using the license key within the license file and storing the license information associated with the license on the switch.

Abstract: A device and method are described herein for group profiling traffic (e.g., voice, data, high-speed data, video, multicast stream) which is received at a plurality of incoming ports. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (a) receiving different types of traffic at the plurality of ports; (b) classifying the different types of traffic into different types of service access points; and (c) applying profiles of the different types of service access points to the corresponding different types of traffic, wherein the same type of traffic which is received by at least two ports of the plurality of ports will share the profile of the corresponding classified service access point.