Abstract: An ordered classification procedure includes receiving a packet including a plurality of packet fields having corresponding field values. At least some of the packet fields are parsed to extract at least some of the field values of the packet. The extracted field values are examined using the ordered classification procedure to classify the packet into a flow. An order of the field examinations scheduled within the ordered classification procedure to examine the field values is based at least in part on the field values themselves.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides determining if a management queue can be created, and if a management queue can be created, allocating virtually contiguous memory to a management queue associated with a device, registering the management queue, and creating a management queue context.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an interface is provided between a software application and a hardware device transferring data between the software application and a network. The interface posts a request from the software application and, in response to a first polling inquiry received from the software application, determines whether or not an event signal corresponding to the request has been provided to it from the hardware device. The interface carries out a rearm routine if an event signal has not been provided at the time of the polling inquiry. A second polling inquiry is made by the software application after the interface is rearmed and the interface determines whether or not an event signal has been provided to it by the hardware device. The interface then carries out a wait routine which waits for the event signal if an event signal was not provided at the time of the second polling inquiry.