Method and computer program product for classifying network communication packets processed in a network stack
US5956721A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/329
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and computer program product for classifying network communication packets being processed in a network stack. The computer program product is a centralized packet classifier that receives classification requests from drivers or other clients according to a defined interface. This reduces the cost for producing a driver since less code is required initially at development time as well as a corresponding reduction in maintenance costs. The present invention groups drivers or other clients that utilize a certain body of classification information into classification families. Further, reference patterns used to make classifications are stored in separate databases depending on whether they are specific or general. There exists a single specific pattern database for all specific reference patterns regardless of classification family having a constant search time and a general pattern database for each general reference pattern for each classification family defined to the system whose search time may vary according to the amount of information contained therein. When servicing a classification request, the packet classifier will first search the specific pattern database foll…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.