Patent ID: 7586940
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a packet in a gateway device connected to a plurality of communication paths providing connection with corresponding networks, said method comprising: providing a search utility in said gateway, said search utility enabling the retrieval of both a forwarding information and a network address translation (NAT) information necessary for processing said packet in a single search operation, wherein said NAT information specifies a new address for an original address in said packet, said forwarding information specifying one of said plurality of communication paths to forward said packet, each of said plurality of communication paths being identified by a corresponding physical port; receiving said packet containing said original address; determining said forwarding information and said NAT information for said packet in a single search operation by using said search utility; substituting said new address for said original address in said packet; and forwarding said packet with said new address on the specified one of said plurality of communication paths in said forwarding information, wherein the providing comprises maintaining a single table for both the forwarding information and the NAT information such that the information can be retrieved in the single search operation, and wherein the table is stored in a content addressable memory (CAM) indexed by a source address and a destination address that are provided as a key in the CAM.