Method and apparatus for pre-classifying packets

A system for processing a packet, comprising:

• an input configured to receive a packet from an input port;
• a data selection mechanism configured to select data from one or more locations in the packet;
• a classification mechanism configured to perform a classification operation based on the selected data to generate a classification result including instructions specifying how to generate attributes for the packet;
• an attribute-generation mechanism configured to use the instructions from the classification result to generate attributes for the packet;
• and
• an output configured to forward the attributes along with the packet to facilitate subsequent packet-processing operations,
• wherein performing the classification operation additionally involves using a channel number associated with the packet and a programmable identifier associated with the input port to perform the classification,
• wherein the channel number and the programmable identifier are received from the input port, and
• wherein at least one of the channel number and the programmable identifier are configurable on a per port basis.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for processing a packet, the method comprising:

• receiving a packet from an input port;
• selecting data from one or more locations in the packet;
• performing a classification operation based on the selected data to generate a classification result including instructions specifying how to generate attributes for the packet;
• using the instructions from the classification result to generate attributes for the packet;
• and
• forwarding the attributes along with the packet to facilitate subsequent packet-processing operations,
• wherein performing the classification operation additionally involves using a channel number associated with the packet and a programmable identifier associated with the input port to perform the classification,
• wherein the channel number and the programmable identifier are received from the input port, and
• wherein at least one of the channel number and the programmable identifier are configurable on a per port basis.