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Abstract

A communication switch that includes a multiprocessor control block and a method therefore is presented. The multiprocessor control block includes a centralized resource and routing processor that controls resource allocation and routing functionality within the switch. A plurality of intermediate processors operably coupled to the resource and routing processor perform call processing for corresponding portions of the connections supported by the switch, where such call processing includes issuing resource allocation requests to the resource and routing processor. Each of the intermediate processors further performs functions associated with a signaling layer portion of the protocol stack. The multiprocessor control block also includes a link layer processor operably coupled to the plurality of intermediate processors, where the link layer processor also couples to a switching fabric of the communication switch. The link layer processor receives ingress data units from the switching fabric and selectively forwards these ingress data units to one or more of the plurality of intermediate processors for processing. The link layer processor also received egress data units from the plurality of intermediate processors that it forwards to the switching fabric.

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First Claim