# Managing External Network Hardware as if It Were Inside the Switch

> A method for managing external network service hardware by treating it as part of the main switch's internal system using a virtual connection.

- **Patent:** US 9661085
- **Original title:** Federated management of intelligent service modules
- **Owner:** Brocade Communications Systems LLC
- **Granted:** 2017
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 1
- **Field:** telecommunications, consumer_electronics, semiconductors

## What it does

This patent describes a way to connect specialized network hardware (an intelligent service module) to a main network switch using standard cables, while still allowing the switch to control that hardware as if it were plugged directly into the switch's internal backplane. Instead of needing a physical, hardwired connection inside the switch chassis, the system uses 'in-band' communication, meaning management data travels over the same cables used for network traffic. The switch acts as a traffic controller, receiving management requests, reading the routing information inside those requests, and forwarding them to the correct external module. This allows network administrators to scale their services by adding external modules without needing to replace the entire switch chassis.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover management of hardware that is physically integrated inside the switch chassis.
- Does not cover systems that rely on a dedicated, non-networked management cable (out-of-band) for control.
- Does not cover hardware that is not part of the same logical domain as the switch.
- Does not cover wireless or non-cabled communication between the switch and the service module.

## The clever bit

The innovation is the 'soft-backplane,' which uses standard network packet routing (IP forwarding) to simulate a physical, internal connection between the switch and an external device, effectively extending the switch's reach over existing cabling.

## Real-world examples

1. Data center storage area networks (SANs)
2. Modular enterprise network switches
3. External network security appliances managed by a central core switch

## Why it matters

In large data centers, physical space and power inside a switch chassis are limited. This technology allows companies to offload complex tasks like encryption, deep packet inspection, or load balancing to external boxes while keeping the management simple. It helps engineers maintain a unified view of their network infrastructure even as they add specialized, modular hardware to handle increasing traffic demands.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does Managing External Network Hardware as if It Were Inside the Switch cover?

A method for managing external network service hardware by treating it as part of the main switch's internal system using a virtual connection.

### Who owns patent US 9661085?

Brocade Communications Systems LLC owns this patent, granted in 2017.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on May 23, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 9661085 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

In large data centers, physical space and power inside a switch chassis are limited. This technology allows companies to offload complex tasks like encryption, deep packet inspection, or load balancing to external boxes while keeping the management simple. It helps engineers maintain a unified view of their network infrastructure even as they add specialized, modular hardware to handle increasing traffic demands.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover management of hardware that is physically integrated inside the switch chassis.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9661085/facebook-audience-network

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9661085

---

_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._