Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A packet is received that includes a header. The header indicates at least one characteristic that is associated with a layer of a protocol stack. The packet is parsed with a network controller to extract the characteristic(s), and a handle is passed from the network controller to the protocol stack to indicate the characteristic(s). The computer system may be capable of executing software of a protocol stack to extract the characteristic(s) of the packet, and the apparatus may include an interface and a circuit. The interface may be adapted to receive the packet, and the circuit may be adapted to parse the header to extract the characteristic(s) without causing the computer to execute the software and process the packet based on the extracted characteristic(s).

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim