Integrated multi-level network appliance, platform and system, and remote management method and system therefor

Abstract

Described include various embodiments of an integrated multi-level network appliance and system, and remote management system and method therefor. In one embodiment, the appliance can comprise: two or more hardware-integrated processing engines each operable to implement a corresponding network-related resource associated with a respective network level in accordance with a designated multi-level network architecture; an integrated processor operable to execute the processing engines; one or more integrated data storage resources accessible to the processing engines to implement each corresponding network-related resource; and a trusted single-chip switch having a plurality of hardware ports associated therewith and configured to define in hardware multiple data communication paths embedded therein.