Abstract: A processor for processing contents of packets passing through a connection point on a computer network. The processor includes a searching apparatus having one or more comparators for searching for a reference string in the contents of a packet, and processes contents of all packets passing through the connection point in real time. In one implementation, the processor is programmable and has an instruction set that includes an instruction for invoking the searching apparatus to search for a specified reference string in the packet starting at an unknown location within a range of the packet.

Abstract: A processor for processing contents of packets passing through a connection point on a computer network. The processor includes a searching apparatus having one or more comparators for searching for a reference string in the contents of a packet, and processes contents of all packets passing through the connection point in real time. In one implementation, the processor is programmable and has an instruction set that includes an instruction for invoking the searching apparatus to search for a specified reference string in the packet starting at an unknown location within a range of the packet.

Abstract: A cache system for looking up one or more elements of an external memory includes a set of cache memory elements coupled to the external memory, a set of content addressable memory cells (CAMs) containing an address and a pointer to one of the cache memory elements, and a matching circuit having an input such that the CAM asserts a match output when the input is the same as the address in the CAM cell. The cache memory element which a particular CAM points to changes over time. In the preferred implementation, the CAMs are connected in an order from top to bottom, and the bottom CAM points to the least recently used cache memory element.

Abstract: A monitor for and a method of examining packets passing through a connection point on a computer network. Each packets conforms to one or more protocols. The method includes receiving a packet from a packet acquisition device and performing one or more parsing/extraction operations on the packet to create a parser record comprising a function of selected portions of the packet. The parsing/extraction operations depend on one or more of the protocols to which the packet conforms. The method further includes looking up a flow-entry database containing flow-entries for previously encountered conversational flows. The lookup uses the selected packet portions and determining if the packet is of an existing flow.

Abstract: A method of performing protocol specific operations on a packet passing through a connection point on a computer network. The packet contents conform to protocols of a layered model wherein the protocol at a at a particular layer level may include one or a set of child protocols defined for that level. The method includes receiving the packet and receiving a set of protocol descriptions for protocols may be used in the packet. A protocol description for a particular protocol at a particular layer level includes any child protocols of the particular protocol, and for any child protocol, where in the packet information related to the particular child protocol may be found. A protocol description also includes any protocol specific operations to be performed on the packet for the particular protocol at the particular layer level.

Abstract: A monitor for and a method of examining packets passing through a connection point on a computer network. Each packets conforms to one or more protocols. The method includes receiving a packet from a packet acquisition device and performing one or more parsing/extraction operations on the packet to create a parser record comprising a function of selected portions of the packet. The parsing/extraction operations depend on one or more of the protocols to which the packet conforms. The method further includes looking up a flow-entry database containing flow-entries for previously encountered conversational flows. The lookup uses the selected packet portions and determining if the packet is of an existing flow.