Method and system for frame and protocol classification

Abstract

A system and method of frame protocol classification and processing in a system for data processing (e.g., switching or routing data packets or frames). The present invention includes analyzing a portion of the frame according to predetermined tests, then storing key characteristics of the packet for use in subsequent processing of the frame. The key characteristics for the frame (or input information unit) include the type of layer 3 protocol used in the frame, the layer 2 encapsulation technique, the starting instruction address, flags indicating whether the frame uses a virtual local area network, and the identity of the data flow to which the frame belongs. Much of the analysis is preferably done using hardware so that it can be completed quickly and in a uniform time period. The stored characteristics of the frame are then used by the network processing complex in its processing of the frame. The processor is preconditioned with a starting instruction address and the location of the beginning of the layer 3 header as well as flags for the type of frame. That is, the instruction address or code entry point is used by the processor to start processing for a frame at the right place, based on the type of frame. Additional instruction addresses can be stacked and used sequentially at branches to avoid additional tests and branching instructions. Additionally, frames comprising a data flow can be processed and forwarded in the same order in which they are received.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to communication network equipment for linking together information processing systems or computers of various types and capabilities, and to components and methods for data processing in such equipment. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved system and method for managing the flow of data in a processing device connected to a data transmission network, including a method for processing a plurality of input information units (also called "packet " or "frame"), these input information units can be processed by multiple independent processors at the same time, and these input information units can have one of a variety of different protocols. Background technique [0002] This embodiment mode is related to the following documents, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. [0003] Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 384,691, filed August 27, 1999 by Brian Bass et al., entitled "Ne...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The limitations and disadvantages of these systems are that a lot of processing power must be used to keep track of where each information unit is in the system, and some systems do not provide additional input information units, such as from new data streams or from internal information element of the generated message

[0019] Accordingly, prior art systems for processing data packets suffer from some undesirable disadvantages and limitations which either affect the versatility of the system or the speed at which the system operates, or both. Affected

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