Patent ID: 6034957
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for controlling processing of data packets in a local area network, hereafter ""LAN"", switch, comprising:a) receiving a data packet;b) separating the data packet into a plurality of slices hereafter ""data packet slices"",c) selecting a field in the data packet, the contents of which will determine how to process the data packet;d) selecting a portion of each of the data packet slices that corresponds to the selected field in the data packet, hereafter ""field slice"";e) computing an index to an entry in a table in a memory of the LAN switch;f) comparing the contents of the field slice to the contents of a field in the entry corresponding to the selected field, for each field slice; andg) controlling processing of the data packet if the contents of the field slice match the contents of the field in the entry corresponding to the selected field, for each field slice.