Service and maintenance solutions for programmable and/or reconfigurable modules included in communication network nodes

摘要

The present invention relates to service and maintenance solutions for programmable and/or reconfigurable modules (CM₁, . . . , CM_n), which are included in the nodes of a communications network (140). The module (CM₁) contains a first digital storage unit (M1), which holds information pertaining to the accomplishment of a primary function of the module. A secondary function of the module involves control of the primary function. The module has an optical bi-directional interface (I_w) towards the first digital storage unit. Data in the first digital storage unit may be read out (D₀) and may also be updated (D_i) by the portable software carrier unit via the optical bi-directional interface. Data read-out as well as data updating may be accomplished independently of the primary function. Preferably, an access module (A) controls the bi-directional interface in response to an authorization signal (SA) from an authorization unit (120, 121, 122, 123).