Understand Application Software.

Application Software is a rather generic term, but in the context of TPACK SOFTSYSTEMs, Application Software refers to the control software programmes written to configure, manipulate and monitor the FPGA-based chip solutions of TPACK SOFTSYSTEMs.

Application software uses the High-Level Driver with API to interface to the chip. The software configures the chip to operate according to network requirements by setting up the required cross-connects, switches, mappings etc. This "forwarding plane" behaviour is then monitored and manipulated either by the application software itself based on implemented "control plane" protocols (e.g. Internet Protocol (IP)), via a local element management system or via a network management solution responsible for network wide operation.

Application software is typically developed specifically for a given system platform and application. However, third party implementations of control plane protocols can be used to accelerate this development.