Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An apparatus is described that associates categorization information with network traffic to facilitate application level processing through processing of network traffic in accordance with provisioned rules and policies. The apparatus includes a plurality of microcode controlled state machines, wherein at least one microcode state machine processes at least one input data field using a hash function to generate a hash identifier. This embodiment further includes a distribution circuit that routes input data to the plurality of microcode controlled state machines, such that at least one individual microcode controlled state machine applies a rule to the input data to produce the at least one input data field, and to produce modification instructions based on the hash identifier. This embodiment further includes a first circuit that appends the hash identifier to the input data to produce modified input data based on the modification instructions, and that routes the modified input data in accordance with an output routing strategy. Advantageously, the apparatus provides an architectural framework well suited to a low cost, high speed, robust implementation of flexible, advanced network security and monitoring features and network traffic analysis.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim