Patent ID: 6674769
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
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 layer 3 information and layer 4 information that specify payload data characteristics within the first layer 2 frame; determining by a policy filter in the network switch port a policy identifier for the first layer 2 frame based on the 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; storing first information identifying the first layer 3 information and the layer 4 information, and the policy identifier, in a policy cache in the network switch port; receiving a second layer 2 frame at the network switch port; and simultaneously searching, for a second policy identifier for the second layer 2 frame, by the policy filter and within the policy cache.