Method and system for processing a network packet

A network device, comprising:

• a port for receiving a packet with a first indicia value and a second indicia value;
• and
• a validation module that stores a first value and a second value for validating the packet, where the validation module includes logic for comparing the first indicia value with the first value and the second indicia value with the second value and receiving an enable signal to selectively enable and disable the comparison of the second indicia value with the second value;
• wherein the first indicia value is a partition key that restricts communication between a packet source and at least one destination port;
• and the second indicia value is one or more of a source address and a destination address, where a same physical port is assigned more than one source address.

A validation module in a network device for validating a network device, comprising:

• a storage module that stores a first value and a second value for validating the packet;
• and
• logic for comparing a first indicia value with the first value and a second indicia value with the second value and receiving an enable signal to selectively enable and disable the comparison of the second indicia value with the second value;
• wherein the first indicia value is a partition key that restricts communication between a packet source and at least one destination port;
• and the second indicia value is one or more of a source address and a destination address, where a same physical port is assigned more than one source address.