Abstract: A packet sub-engine coupled to a packet buffer determines which of multiple look up tables (LUTs) is to be searched for a matching entry that matches a received data packet. Each LUT corresponds to a different type of packet handling action and includes multiple entries, each with a match field and a corresponding collection of one or more actions for handling packets that match the match field. The packet sub-engine searches the determined LUT for a matching entry, processes the received data packet according to the action(s) in the matching entry, and determines whether a further LUT is to be searched for a further matching entry. The processed data packet is provided as an output if no further LUT is to be searched, or otherwise the packet sub-engine searches the further LUT and further processes the processed packet according to the action(s) in the further matching entry.

Abstract: A packet sub-engine coupled to a packet buffer determines which of multiple look up tables (LUTs) is to be searched for a matching entry that matches a received data packet. Each LUT corresponds to a different type of packet handling action and includes multiple entries, each with a match field and a corresponding collection of one or more actions for handling packets that match the match field. The packet sub-engine searches the determined LUT for a matching entry, processes the received data packet according to the action(s) in the matching entry, and determines whether a further LUT is to be searched for a further matching entry. The processed data packet is provided as an output if no further LUT is to be searched, or otherwise the packet sub-engine searches the further LUT and further processes the processed packet according to the action(s) in the further matching entry.

Abstract: Data packets are received at a communication device that is coupled to a network node in a communication network, to a gateway router that is coupled to other network nodes in the communication network, and to a further communication network. For each received data packet, a determination is made as to whether the received data packet is to be routed toward a destination by the communication device instead of by the gateway router. The received data packet is routed toward the destination by the communication device based on determining that the received data packet is to be routed toward the destination by the communication device instead of by the gateway router. Otherwise, the received data packet is switched from the communication device to the gateway router to be routed by the gateway router toward the destination.