Patent ID: 7203195
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A packet processing method, comprising the steps of: providing a packet processing apparatus that incorporates a processor selector for extracting identification information of a transport layer that denotes a characteristic of a data flow composed of an input packet from said packet, a processing selecting table for holding a pair of data items that are identification information and a processing to be performed for said packet in advance, a table searcher for searching information in said processing selecting table according to a search key, which is identification information extracted by said processor selector, a plurality of independent packet processors for processing said packet according to a result of searching in said table, and a port selector for sending said processed packet; extracting identification information that denotes a characteristic of a data flow composed of an input packet from the header information of said packet, wherein said packet processors are one of a plurality of types of packet processors, each being independent for a processing type to be performed for packets; extracting a transport layer state based on said identification information of said transport layer, wherein said transport layer state indicates an arrival history of a packet with respect to each identification information of said transport layer; and selecting a processing to be performed for the data of a packet in a packet flow for each input packet flow.