Patent ID: 6741594
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of evaluating an incoming data packet at a network switch port, the method comprising:storing a plurality of equations configured for identifying respective data attributes of the incoming data packet, each equation having at least first and second branches for determining whether the incoming data packet has the corresponding data attribute according to first and second data protocol formats, respectively, each branch including at least one min term configured for comparing a corresponding prescribed value to a corresponding selected byte of the incoming data packet; independently evaluating the incoming data packet with the branches by simultaneously comparing, to the selected byte, the min terms that correspond to the selected byte as the selected byte is received by the network switch port; and generating a comparison result that identifies the data attribute of incoming data packet independent of whether the data packet has one of the first and second data protocol formats, based on the comparisons of the min terms to the data bytes received by the network switch port.