Method and apparatus for filtering packets using a dedicated processor

An apparatus for filtering packets sent from a first network to a device, comprising:

• an input means coupled to said first network for receiving data packets from the first network, said data packets having an origination address;
• a first buffer coupled to said input means for storing said received packet;
• a first memory segment containing a list of origination addresses;
• a second memory segment for storing a program for comparing origination addresses for said received data packets with said list, said comparing to occur between a physical layer and a data link layer of a protocol stack followed by the first network and the device;
• a processor coupled to said first buffer, said first memory segment and said second memory segment for executing said program;
• and
• an output means coupled to said first buffer for forwarding said compared data packets to the device based on said comparison.

A method for filtering a packet sent from a first network to a second network, comprising:

• receiving a data packet from the first network;
• determining an origination address for said data packet;
• comparing the origination address for said received data packet with a list of origination addresses, said comparing being performed between a physical layer and a data link layer of a protocol stack followed by said first network and said second network;
• and
• determining whether to forward said compared data packet to the second network based on said comparison.

A method for filtering a packet sent from a first network to a device, comprising:

• receiving a data packet from the first network;
• determining an origination address for said data packet;
• comparing the origination address for said received data packet with a list of origination addresses, said comparing being performed between a physical layer and a data link layer of a protocol stack followed by the first network and the device;
• and
• determining whether to forward said compared data packet to the device based on said comparison.

An apparatus to filter packets sent from a first network to a second network, comprising:

• an input means coupled to said first network, said input means to receive data packets from the first network, each data packet having an origination address;
• a first buffer coupled to said input means, said first buffer to store each received data packet;
• a first memory segment including dynamic random access memory, said first memory to contain a list of origination addresses;
• a second memory segment to store a program for comparing origination addresses for said received data packets with said list;
• a processor coupled to said first buffer, said first memory segment and said second memory segment, said processor to execute said program between a physical layer and a data link layer of a protocol stack followed by said processor;
• a second buffer coupled to said processor, said second buffer to store said compared data packets prior to said compared data packets being forwarded to the second network;
• a non-volatile random access memory coupled to said processor, said non-volatile random access memory to store parameters used by said program;
• means for receiving an updated list of origination addresses, said means for receiving coupled to said first memory;
• and
• an output means coupled to said first buffer, said output means to forward said compared data packets to the second network based on said comparison.