Method and apparatus for accelerated packet forwarding
First Claim
1. A protocol data unit preprocessor for use in a protocol data unit forwarding device utilized in a communication network, the preprocessor comprising:
- (a) identification means for determining media header information of a protocol data unit received from over the communication network;
(b) validation means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for validating the media header information; and
(c) modification means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for adding next operation information to the media header information based upon the determined media header information, the next operation information including at least one encoded instruction to the protocol data unit forwarding device for accomplishing forwarding of the protocol data unit in the communication network such that subsequent processing of the protocol data unit by the protocol data unit forwarding device is reduced as compared to subsequent processing otherwise necessary for the protocol data unit forwarding device to forward the protocol data unit in the communication network without the next operation.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided to transfer protocol data units within a communication network. This transferring is accomplished with a protocol data unit preprocessor utilized in a protocol data unit forwarding device that is operated in the communication network. The preprocessor includes an identification mechanism which determines media header information of a protocol data unit received from over the communication network. Subsequently, a validation mechanism validates the media header information. In addition, modification mechanism adds next operation information to the media header information based upon the determined media header information such that subsequent processing of the protocol data unit by the protocol data unit forwarding device is reduced.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A protocol data unit preprocessor for use in a protocol data unit forwarding device utilized in a communication network, the preprocessor comprising:
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(a) identification means for determining media header information of a protocol data unit received from over the communication network; (b) validation means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for validating the media header information; and (c) modification means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for adding next operation information to the media header information based upon the determined media header information, the next operation information including at least one encoded instruction to the protocol data unit forwarding device for accomplishing forwarding of the protocol data unit in the communication network such that subsequent processing of the protocol data unit by the protocol data unit forwarding device is reduced as compared to subsequent processing otherwise necessary for the protocol data unit forwarding device to forward the protocol data unit in the communication network without the next operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A protocol data unit forwarding device for use in a communication network to transfer protocol data units within the communication network, comprising:
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(a) protocol data unit processor, comprising; (i) identification means for determining media header information of a protocol data unit which is received from over the communication network; (ii) validation means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for validating the media header information; and (iii) modification means, operatively coupled to the identification means, for adding next operation information to the media header information based upon the determined media header information; and (b) forwarding processor, operatively coupled to the protocol data unit preprocessor, for forwarding the protocol data unit in the communication network based upon the next operation information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of operating a forwarding device within a communication network to forward a protocol data unit received by the forwarding device, the method comprising the device-implemented steps of:
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(a) in a first processor, performing the steps of; (a)(i) determining media header information of a protocol data unit based upon a portion of the protocol data unit which is received from over a communication network; (a)(ii) validating the media header information; and (a)(iii) adding next operation information to the media header information based upon the determined media header information; and (b) in a second processor, forwarding the protocol data unit in the communication network based upon the next operation information. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification