US 7,613,775 B2 · Network message filtering using hashing and pattern matching

Abstract

Hashing and pattern matching are used in an information processing system to process incoming messages from a network such as an Ethernet-based network. Using hashing and pattern matching increases the efficiency of message acceptance and rejection without increasing software-based processor tasks. A hash function and a pattern matching function are performed on a message received by an information processing system, and the message is selectively accepted based on at least one of a hash result and a pattern matching result. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of patterns and the absence of the patterns. The incoming message can be searched for the existence of multiple patterns. The results of pattern matching can be used not only for acceptance and rejection of messages, but also for other post-receipt tasks such as selective storage of incoming messages according to identified relative priorities or absolute criticality of messages having particular pattern matches.

Claims52

Dependent claims

In a packet controller having an input, hash logic, pattern matching logic coupled to the hash logic, and control logic coupled to the hash logic and the pattern matching logic, a method comprising:

receiving a message at an input of the packet controller;
providing the message to the hash logic which performs a hash function on the message to provide a hash result;
providing the message to the pattern matching logic which performs pattern matching on the message to provide a pattern match result, wherein performing pattern matching to provide the pattern match result comprises:
determining whether a pattern match exists within the received message based on pattern match data which indicates at least one pattern and pattern match control corresponding to the pattern match data, wherein the pattern match result indicates whether the pattern match exists, and wherein when the pattern match result indicates that the pattern match exists, the pattern match result further indicates whether the received message is one of accepted, rejected, and neither accepted nor rejected;
and
the control logic selectively accepting the message based at least on the pattern match result.

3 more elements

In a packet controller having an input, hash logic, pattern matching logic coupled to the hash logic, and control logic coupled to the hash logic and the pattern matching logic, a method, comprising:

receiving a message at an input of the packet controller;
providing the message to the hash logic which performs a hash function to determine whether a hash hit occurs;
providing the message to the pattern matching logic which determines whether a first pattern match corresponding to a first pattern is detected within the received message, wherein the first pattern is indicated by pattern match data and has a corresponding pattern match acceptance indicator;
when the first pattern match is detected, the control logic selectively accepting the received message when the pattern match acceptance indicator corresponding to the first pattern indicates acceptance of the received message and a hash hit occurs;
and
when the first pattern match is detected, the pattern match acceptance indicator corresponding to the first pattern indicates rejection of the received message and a hash hit occurs, the control logic rejecting the received message.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Network message filtering using hashing and pattern matching

Life of this patent

Network message filtering using hashing and pattern matching

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52