Method and apparatus for providing a network connection table
First Claim
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1. A method for searching for network connections for devices on a network, the method comprising:
- receiving a packet over a network at a computer system and retrieving connection information from the packet;
zeroing particular fields in the connection information in response to the packet being a connection-starting packet that establishes a new connection, and not zeroing the particular fields in response to the packet being provided for an existing connection;
converting the connection information to an address for a location in a direct table using a table access process, wherein the direct table stores a plurality of patterns and associated reference information, at least two of the stored patterns having different types, wherein each of the patterns of the first type indicates an associated new connection is available and each of the patterns of the second type is associated with using an associated existing connection; and
comparing the connection information with at least one pattern stored in the direct table at the location pointed to by the address to find reference information for the received packet.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for implementing use of a network connection table. In one aspect, searching for network connections includes receiving a packet, and zeroing particular fields of connection information from the packet if a new connection is to be established. The connection information is converted to an address for a location in a direct table using a table access process. The direct table stores patterns and reference information for new and existing connections. The connection information is compared with at least one pattern stored in the direct table at the address to find reference information for the received packet.
78 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for searching for network connections for devices on a network, the method comprising:
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receiving a packet over a network at a computer system and retrieving connection information from the packet; zeroing particular fields in the connection information in response to the packet being a connection-starting packet that establishes a new connection, and not zeroing the particular fields in response to the packet being provided for an existing connection; converting the connection information to an address for a location in a direct table using a table access process, wherein the direct table stores a plurality of patterns and associated reference information, at least two of the stored patterns having different types, wherein each of the patterns of the first type indicates an associated new connection is available and each of the patterns of the second type is associated with using an associated existing connection; and comparing the connection information with at least one pattern stored in the direct table at the location pointed to by the address to find reference information for the received packet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for storing network connection information for devices on a network, the method comprising:
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receiving the network connection information; zeroing particular fields in the network connection information in response to the network connection information setting up and making available a new connection, and not zeroing the particular fields in response to the network connection information being provided for an existing connection; converting the network connection information to an address in a direct table using a table access process; and storing the connection information as a pattern and storing connection reference information in the direct table at a location corresponding to the address, wherein the direct table stores connection information and reference information for new connections that are available for connection, and existing connections that have been established. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for searching for network connections for devices on a network, the apparatus comprising:
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a mechanism for receiving a packet over a network at a computer system and retrieving connection information from the packet; a mechanism for zeroing particular fields in the connection information in response to the packet being a connection-starting packet that establishes a new connection, and not zeroing the particular fields in response to the packet being provided for an existing connection; a mechanism for converting the connection information to an address for a location in a direct table using a table access process, wherein the direct table stores a plurality of patterns and associated reference information, at least two of the stored patterns having different types, wherein each of the patterns of the first type indicates an associated new connection is available and each of the patterns of the second type is associated with using an associated existing connection; and a mechanism for comparing the connection information with at least one pattern stored in the direct table at the location pointed to by the address to find reference information for the received packet. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus allowing storing and searching of network connection information, the apparatus comprising:
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a direct table provided in memory and operative to store network connection information including 3-tuple and 2-tuple patterns for new available network connections and 5-tuple patterns for established network connections, and associated reference information pointing to network connections; and a search mechanism implemented on a network adapter device and coupled to the direct table, the search mechanism operative to search for network connection information in the direct table when a packet including connection information is received over a network, wherein the search mechanism creates a search pattern from the packet connection information, the search pattern used for searching for a matching pattern in the direct table to find the associated reference information. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification