Abstract: Performing atomic lookup rule set transitions. A method involves performing lookups using a first set of rules, flagging a subset of the first set of rules as old rules, adding a second set of rules while continuing to perform lookups using the first set of rules, and atomically transitioning to perform lookups using the first set of rules plus the second set of rules minus the old rules. A system implementing the method includes a lookup table and a lookup table management module that is configured to make atomic lookup rule set transitions in the lookup table.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding traffic from a plurality of logical networks using a single forwarding table. Traffic is received in the form of packets with a key and a logical traffic identifier. The routing table is traversed to a forwarding table entry having a longest prefixed search value that matches the key and having a logical network identification array in which the logical traffic identifier may be represented. If the logical traffic identifier is represented in the logical network identification array, then the packet is forwarded in accordance with forwarding information associated with the forwarding table entry.

Abstract: Performing selective update of a content addressable memory (CAM) following restart of an access control module (ACM) at a network node involves maintaining a restart CAM entry database in shared memory. When the ACM restarts, instead of reentering all CAM entries into the CAM or reading the contents of the CAM, the ACM only updates the CAM with the entries that were modified while the ACM was offline, prior to restart.

Abstract: Managing a position-dependent data set that is stored in a content addressable memory (CAM) array involves identifying an instance of a base position-dependent data set that exists in software, identifying an instance of an edited position-dependent data set that exists in software, determining differences between the instance of the base position-dependent data set that exists in software and the instance of the edited position-dependent data set that exists in software, and incorporating the differences between the instance of the base position-dependent data set that exists in software and the instance of the edited position-dependent data set that exists in software into an instance of said base position-dependent data set that exists in a CAM array.

Abstract: Performing atomic lookup rule set transitions. A method involves performing lookups using a first set of rules, flagging a subset of the first set of rules as old rules, adding a second set of rules while continuing to perform lookups using the first set of rules, and atomically transitioning to perform lookups using the first set of rules plus the second set of rules minus the old rules. A system implementing the method includes a lookup table and a lookup table management module that is configured to make atomic lookup rule set transitions in the lookup table.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding traffic from a plurality of logical networks using a single forwarding table. Traffic is received in the form of packets with a key and a logical traffic identifier. The routing table is traversed to a forwarding table entry having a longest prefixed search value that matches the key and having a logical network identification array in which the logical traffic identifier may be represented. If the logical traffic identifier is represented in the logical network identification array, then the packet is forwarded in accordance with forwarding information associated with the forwarding table entry.

Abstract: Managing a position-dependent data set that is stored in a content addressable memory (CAM) array involves identifying an instance of a base position-dependent data set that exists in software, identifying an instance of an edited position-dependent data set that exists in software, determining differences between the instance of the base position-dependent data set that exists in software and the instance of the edited position-dependent data set that exists in software, and incorporating the differences between the instance of the base position-dependent data set that exists in software and the instance of the edited position-dependent data set that exists in software into an instance of said base position-dependent data set that exists in a CAM array.

Abstract: Performing selective update of a content addressable memory (CAM) following restart of an access control module (ACM) at a network node involves maintaining a restart CAM entry database in shared memory. When the ACM restarts, instead of reentering all CAM entries into the CAM or reading the contents of the CAM, the ACM only updates the CAM with the entries that were modified while the ACM was offline, prior to restart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting information from an item of data is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention operates within a packet processing device such as a router. Upon receipt of a data item the data item is analyzed to obtain information regarding the protocol under which the data item was constructed. Different protocol locate relevant processing and routing information at different offsets in a data item's header. As a result of the analysis, the system obtains a protocol key used to identify or obtain offset parameters. In one embodiment the results of the analysis are masked and the protocol key provided to a content addressable memory to identify the offset parameters. Using the offset parameters identified by the protocol key, the system selectively copies portions of the data item to generate a search key. The search key contains information pertinent to processing.

Abstract: A mobile communication device, and a method of connecting a mobile device to a preferred communication system, are disclosed. The mobile communication device includes a signal sender, a signal receiver, and a processor and memory. The processor and memory include a static table, and are in communication with the signal sender and the signal receiver. The processor and memory match a location of the device directly to at least one preferred system. The mobile communication system includes at least one base station and the at least one mobile communication device.

Abstract: A switch (212) is included in a wireless terminal (206). Different settings of the switch cause a processor (210) in the wireless terminal to use different device algorithms. The switch itself is set by applying a code signal to the wireless terminal through its RJ-11 interface (208). The code is a sequence of Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) tones, which may conveniently be provided by an ordinary telephone (214), or by a computer modem (204). A single wireless terminal may therefore be reconfigured on demand to interface with any of a variety of devices (202), (214).