Method and apparatus for packet classification in a data communication system
US6600744B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/351
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for packet classification stores rules or parameters for classifying the packets in a memory structure. The memory structure receives a set of rule selection signals, where the memory provides a selected set of rules in response to the rule selection signals. A comparison block operably coupled to the memory receives a key, which is also preferably derived from the header information for the packet. The key includes the relevant information for classifying the packet according to the rules stored in the memory. The comparison block compares the key with each of the rules in the selected set of rules, and when a favorable comparison is determined, the comparison block provides an indication of the favorable comparison. A prioritization block operably coupled to the comparison block prioritizes the rules that resulted in a favorable comparison to determine a preferred rule, where the preferred rule includes the resulting classification information for the packet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.