Systems and methods for optimizing a packet classification algorithm for implementation by a packet processing pipeline

A system comprising:

• an ingress port configured to receive an internet protocol (IP) packet that includes a source IP address and a source port indicator;
• a memory configured to store a first interval binary tree definition for a first interval binary tree, a second interval binary tree definition for a second interval binary tree, and a plurality of binary tree definitions for a plurality of binary trees;
• at least one processor that is configured to:
• use the source IP address to determine a first class identifier and use the source port indicator to determine a second class identifier in response to receiving the IP packet, the first class identifier determined by searching the first interval binary tree for the source IP address and identifying one of the binary trees;
• determine a third class identifier by searching for the second class identifier in the one of the binary trees;
• and
• utilize the third class identifier to identify a networking rule or a networking rule outcome for the IP packet,
• wherein the second class identifier is determined by searching the second interval binary tree for the source port indicator.

A method comprising:

• using a first IP packet header field value to determine a first class identifier and using a second IP packet header field value to determine a second class identifier in response to receiving an IP packet that includes the first IP packet header field value and the second IP packet header field value, the first class identifier determined by searching a first interval binary tree for the first IP packet header field value;
• determining a third class identifier by searching for the second class identifier in a binary tree identified by the first class identifier;
• and
• using the third class identifier to identify a networking rule or a networking rule outcome for the IP packet.