Patent ID: 7760722

Claim:
A method for processing packets, comprising: receiving a first packet from a network by an edge device, wherein the edge device comprises a first list and a second list, wherein first list is associated with a first queue, the second list is associated with a second queue, and wherein the first packet is directed to a first host; analyzing, by the edge device, the first packet to obtain first packet information used to determine to which temporary data structure to forward the first packet, wherein the first packet information identifies a source of the first packet; in response to determining that the first list does not specify the source: forwarding, by the edge device, the first packet to the second queue, processing the first packet from the second queue, wherein processing the first packet from the second queue comprises: sending a message to the first host operatively connected to the edge device to send a first test to the source; sending the first test to the source by the first host using the packet information, obtaining an unsuccessful response to the first test by the host; forwarding, by the host, the unsuccessful response to the edge device; and placing the first packet information on the second list based on the unsuccessful response to the first test; receiving a second packet from the network by the edge device, wherein the second packet is directed to a second host; after receiving the second packet: analyzing, by the edge device, the second packet to obtain second packet information, wherein the second packet information identifies that the second packet was received from the source; and in response to determining that the second list comprises the source, dropping the second packet by the edge device.