Network switching architecture with fast filtering processor

A method of handling data packets in a network switch, said method comprising:

• placing incoming packets into an input queue;
• applying the input data packets to an address resolution logic engine;
• performing a lookup to determine whether certain packet fields are stored in a lookup table;
• filtering the incoming packet through a fast filtering processor in order to determine what specific actions should be taken to modify the packet for further handling;
• discarding, forwarding, or modifying the packet based upon the filtering;
• and
• if the packet is to be forwarded, applying a control message to the packet in order to control further packet forwarding,
• wherein the packet data is placed on a first communication channel, and wherein the control message is placed on a second communication channel, said first and second channels being separate but synchronized with each other.

A method of creating a packet handling filter for a network switch, said method comprising:

• providing a processor for processing and entering filter parameters;
• providing a rules table to implement a filter mask;
• identifying protocol fields of interest for selected fields of a selected packet type;
• determining filter conditions for the preselected packet type;
• providing a series of digital values representing desired filter conditions for the preselected packet type, thereby forming the filter mask, said filter mask comprising a bit map for logical comparison with an incoming data packet;
• determining whether the filter will be an inclusive or exclusive filter, and configuring filtering actions based thereupon;
• determining whether said filter will be applied to incoming data packets or outgoing data packets;
• if said filter is for incoming data packets, configuring said filter mask to be an ingress port filter mask, and if said filter is for outgoing packets, configuring said filter mask to be an egress filter mask;
• constructing rules table entries consistent with parameters of the configured filter mask;
• and
• inserting the rules table entries into the rules table.