Classifying data packets processed by drivers included in a stack

A method for classifying data packets processed by a plurality of drivers included in a stack comprising the steps of:

• installing, by a software component, at least one reference pattern and associated classification information into a means for packet classification containing a common database for storing reference patterns and corresponding classification information;
• presenting, to the means for packet classification, a classification pattern from a data packet to be classified by at least one portion of code outside the means for classification through a pre-defined interface;
• and
• if the classification pattern matches an installed reference pattern, returning, to the at least one portion of code by the means for classification, access to the classification information associated with the reference pattern so that the data packet may be processed using the classification information.

A method for classifying data packets processed by a plurality of drivers included in a stack comprising the steps of:

• installing, by a software component, at least one reference pattern and associated classification information organized into a means for packet classification, the at least one reference pattern and associated classification information organized into classification families and the means for packet classification containing:
• a database for each classification family for storing general reference patterns and corresponding classification information;
• and
• a common constant time database for storing specific reference patterns and corresponding classification information regardless of classification family;
• presenting, to the means for classification, a classification pattern from a data packet to be classified by a driver through a pre-defined interface;
• and
• if the classification pattern matches an installed reference pattern, returning, to the driver, access to the classification information associated with the reference pattern so that the data packet may be processed using the classification information.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable program code means embodied in said medium for classifying data packets processed by a plurality of drivers in a stack based on a classification pattern from a particular data packet, said computer readable program code means comprising:

• an interface means for interfacing with other portions of code and receiving requests for installation of a reference pattern and a corresponding classification information in a classification family, receiving requests for classification of a classification pattern from a packet to be classified, and returning an access means to classification information;
• a general database means for storing general reference patterns and associated classification information upon receipt by the interface means of an installation request for each classification family;
• a constant search time database means for storing specific reference patterns and associated classification information upon receipt by the interface means of an installation request without regard to classification family;
• and
• a matching means for comparing a classification pattern received by the interface means to the reference patterns stored in both database means based on a classification request, and if a matching reference pattern is found, returning access to the classification information corresponding to the matched reference pattern through the interface means to allow the data packet to be processed using the classification information.

A method for classifying data packets processed by one or more drivers included in a stack comprising the acts of:

• storing in a shared reference pattern database shared by multiple drivers, at least one reference pattern and corresponding classification information, the shared reference pattern database containing a specific database for all specific reference patterns regardless of classification family and, for each classification family, a general database for general reference patterns pertaining to that classification family;
• receiving a classification pattern from a first driver;
• searching the shared reference pattern database for a reference pattern matching the classification pattern by searching first the specific database for the classification pattern followed, if necessary, by searching the general database pertaining to an identified classification family for the classification pattern;
• and
• if a matching reference pattern is found:
• returning, to the first driver, a classification handle to classification information associated with the matched reference pattern;
• and
• processing the data packet using specific classification information from the matched reference pattern that corresponds to the identified classification family.