Patent ID: 6798788
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method in a network switch, the method comprising:receiving a first layer 2 frame at a network switch port, the first layer 2 frame including first layer 3 information and layer 4 information that specify payload data characteristics within the first layer 2 frame; determining a policy identifier in the network switch port for the first layer 2 frame based on the first layer 3 information and the layer 4 information, the policy identifier specifying a layer 3 switching operation to be performed on the first layer 2 frame; receiving a second layer 2 frame at the network switch port, the second layer 2 frame including a portion of the first layer 3 information; and selecting the policy identifier of the first layer 2 frame for the second layer 2 frame by correlating the second layer 2 frame to the first layer 2 frame based on the portion of the first layer 3 information.