Rule based ip data processing

Abstract

A apparatus and method that provides a routing engine for processing data packets based upon certain rules that are compiled and applied real-time via a just-in-time (JIT) compiler, a runtime compiler, or the like. The routing engine parses and analyzes an incoming IP flow. A set of rules are developed and stored for use by the JIT. The rules establish a set of patterns, and the incoming data is compared to those patterns. If certain patterns are detected, then the associated action established by the rule is applied to the processing of the data packet. Packets are classified according to any rule, as applied to any packet, as early as possible in the process (i.e. first or second stage of process), with the route lookup and packet attribute processes performed in parallel. Data packets might be assigned or mapped to various traffic service levels. Traffic types and priorities, as well as service levels, can be mapped onto existing QoS/CoS definitions and assignments. The data packets can be altered or modified as a result of the detected patterns. Data packets can also be discarded or dropped if the detected patterns and associated rule indicate such a desire. The apparatus and method might be implemented as a hardware and software configuration. A software configuration might also be loaded into existing router hardware.