Patent ID: 8902776

Claim:
A Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) allocator, the DPI allocator comprising: a DPI application for inspecting data packets propagating to a destination via a channel that enters the DPI allocator; and a plurality of service applications for selective processing of data packets that enter the DPI allocator, a first directing circuitry to direct packets received by the DPI allocator for processing selectively to a service application of said plurality of service applications; a controller to configure the DPI allocator to selectively determine which one or more of said service applications process packets received by the DPI allocator; wherein the first directing circuitry comprises an ingress circuit to receive packets, which the controller configures to direct received packets selectively to one or more of said service applications; wherein the first directing circuitry is to direct packets from different component packet streams selectively for processing by different service applications; a second directing circuitry to receive packets processed by a service application of said plurality of service applications, and to selectively either (a) transfer the processed packets to the first directing circuitry, or (b) forward the processed packets to their respective destinations.