Signature searching system
AssigneeNetLogic Microsystems, Inc.
InventorSrinivasan Venkatachary
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a signature searching system, contents of a ternary content addressable memory (CAM) are searched to obtain a first index value that corresponds to a first group of predetermined data sequences. The first group of predetermined data sequences is selected from among a plurality of groups of predetermined data sequences based, at least in part, on the first index value, and a determination made as to whether any of the predetermined data sequences within the first group is present within a stream of data.
Claims20
A method of searching a stream of data using a ternary content addressable memory (CAM) to determine whether a predetermined data sequence is present in the data stream:
- searching the contents of the ternary CAM-to obtain a first index value that corresponds to a first group of predetermined data sequences;
- selecting the first group of predetermined data sequences from among a plurality of groups of predetermined data sequences based, at least in part, on the first index value;
- and
- determining whether any of the predetermined data sequences within the first group is present within the stream of data.
A signature searching apparatus comprising:
- a processing unit to generate a search value obtained from a combination of header fields within a packet;
- a ternary content addressable memory (CAM) to receive the search value from the processing unit and to generate a first index value that corresponds to a storage location within the ternary CAM;
- and
- a string-match engine to determine whether the packet includes any of a plurality of data sequences indicated by the first index value.
An apparatus for searching a stream of data to determine whether a predetermined data sequence is present in the data stream:
- means for searching the contents of a tuple database to obtain a first index value that corresponds to a first group of predetermined data sequences;
- means for selecting the first group of predetermined data sequences from among a plurality of groups of predetermined data sequences based, at least in part, on the first index value;
- and
- means for determining whether any of the predetermined data sequences within the first group is present within the stream of data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.