Data forwarding unit based on handle identifier

A data forwarding unit, comprising:

• a dynamic configuration module configured for dynamically configuring a Handle identification module and a matching-forwarding module;
• the Handle identification module configured for identifying Handle identifiers in data packets, and delivering data packet packets based on the identification of a Handle identifier, wherein;
• the matching-forwarding module configured for matching the Handle identifiers of data packets with stored Handle identifiers, identifying forwarding rules corresponding to matched Handle identifiers, and forwarding data according to the identified forwarding rules, wherein
• the Handle identification module comprises:
• a layer 2 data identification submodule configured to intercept layer 2 data packets received at a receiving port of a network device, identify Handle identifiers in the layer 2 data packets based on a first set of Handle identifier attributes, and delivering to the matching-forwarding module those data packets that are determined to have Handle identifiers conforming to the first set of Handle identifier attributes, and
• a layer 3 data identification submodule configured to intercept layer 3 data packets that have been processed in the network device, identify Handle identifiers in the layer 3 data packets based on a second set of Handle identifier attributes, and delivering to the matching-forwarding module those data packets that are determined to have Handle identifiers conforming to the second set of Handle identifier attributes.