Patent ID: 6678272
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method of evaluating an incoming data packet at a network switch port, the method comprising:storing a plurality of templates for equations configured for identifying respective data formats, each template having at least one min term configured for comparing a corresponding prescribed value to a corresponding selected byte of the incoming data packet, simultaneously comparing, to the selected byte, min terms that correspond to the selected byte as the selected byte is received by the network switch port, identifying an obsolete equation which needs no further evaluation based on a comparison of the min terms with the selected byte, storing, in a register array corresponding with each byte, equation identifier information corresponding to min terms which are necessary to be compared with a corresponding byte, comparing the equation identifier of the obsolete equation with the equation identifier information in each register array, and based on the comparison, identifying equations which need no further evaluation.