Patent ID: 6928482

Claim:
A method of distributing processing loads, comprising: (a) receiving a first data packet; (b) determining whether or not any packet processors have been previously selected to process said first data packet based on a classification of said first data packet; and (c) when none of said packet processors has been previously designated to process said first data packet, selecting a first selected processor of said packet processors to process said first data packet, wherein said first selected processor is selected based on processing load values respectively corresponding to processing loads of said packet processors, wherein step (c) comprises: (c1) when none of said packet processors has been previously designated to process said first data packet, using a controller to select said first selected processor of said packet processors to process said first data packet, wherein said controller selects said first selected processor based on said processing load values respectively corresponding to said processing loads of said packet processors, and wherein said processing load values are respectively generated in said packet processors and respectively output to said controller.