Dynamic filter processor key generation based on packet type

A method for processing data in a network device, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a data packet at one port of a plurality of ports;
• parsing the received data packet to determine parsed data packet values;
• performing lookup searches based on the parsed data packet values;
• obtaining lookup search results;
• modifying the received data packet to form a processed data packet based on the search results;
• and
• sending the processed data packet to an egress port of the plurality of ports;
• wherein the step of performing lookup searches comprises performing a table search using a slice of a generated key to obtain a chain result and performing another table search using another slice of the generated key and the chain result to produce at least a partial lookup table search result.

A network device for processing data, the network device comprising:

• port means for receiving a data packet at one port of a plurality of ports and sending a processed data packet to an egress port of the plurality of ports;
• parsing and modifying means for parsing the received data packet to determine parsed data packet values and for modifying the received data packet to form the processed data packet based on search results;
• searching means for searching lookup searches using the parsed data packet values and obtaining the search results;
• wherein the searching means comprises first search means for performing a table search using a slice of a generated key to obtain a chain result and second search means for performing another table search using another slice of the generated key and the chain result to produce at least a partial lookup table search result.