Abstract: A method of routing a data packet from a forwarding router to a downstream router. The data packet header includes an address that includes a bit string. The forwarding router looks up, in a forwarding database, a prefix that best matches the bit string. The forwarding router then attaches to the data packet a clue that is related to the best matching prefix, and forwards the data packet to the downstream router. The downstream router looks up, in a downstream database, and with reference to the clue, another prefix that best matches the bit string. Because the databases of neighboring routers are similar, the clue either directly determines the best matching prefix at the downstream router or provides the downstream router with a good starting point for its lookup.

Abstract: A simple and fast algorithm for multi-dimensional packet classification by solving the best matching filter problem. The substantial part of the algorithm includes the search of filters being concurrently stabbed by the packet using a KD-tree data structure. Another aspect of the present invention includes the classification of the packet according to its destination address using a second data-structure which preferably consists of a one dimensional segment tree. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packet is first classified according to its protocol type, then the packet is classified according to its destination address using a one dimensional segment tree data structure, and finally, a 6 dimension KD-tree is used to find the filters being stabbed by the remaining 3 parameters of the packet. Among the filters, which comply with the packet, the filter which applies to the packet is the filter with the highest pre-determined priority.