Method of using generic modification instructions to enable flexible modifications of packets and an apparatus thereof
US9531848B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/18
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the apparatus for modifying packet headers relate to programmable modifications of packets by applying commands to generalized protocol headers. Each protocol header of incoming packets is represented in a generic format specific to that protocol to enable modifications to packet headers. Missing fields from a protocol header are detected, and the protocol header is expanded to a maximum size such that the protocol header contains all possible fields of that protocol, including the missing fields. Each of the fields has the same offset irrespective of which variation of the protocol the protocol header corresponds to. Modification uses a set of commands that is applied to expanded protocol headers. All of the commands are thus generic as these commands are independent of incoming headers (e.g., size and protocol).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.