Method and apparatus for providing a network connection table

A method for storing network connection information, the method comprising:

• receiving the network connection information;
• zeroing particular fields in the network connection information if the network connection information references a new connection;
• converting the network connection information to an address in a direct table using a table access process;
• and
• storing the connection information as a pattern and storing connection reference information in the direct table at a location corresponding to the address, wherein the direct table stores connection information and reference information for new connections and existing connections.

An apparatus for searching for network connections, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a packet over a network at a computer system and retrieving connection information from the packet
• means for zeroing particular fields in the connection information if a new connection is to be established;
• means for converting the connection information to an address for a location in a direct table using a table access process, wherein the direct table stores patterns and associated reference information for new connections and existing connections;
• and
• means for comparing the connection information with at least one pattern stored in the direct table at the location pointed to by the address to find reference information for the received packet.