Data structures and state tracking for network protocol processing

摘要

Described are data structures and methodology for forming same, for network protocol processing. A method for creating data structures for firewalling and network address translating is described. A method for creating data structures for physical layer addressing is described. A method for security protocol support using a data structure is described. A method for creating at least one data structure sized responsive to whether a firewall is activated is described. A data structure for routing packets is described. A method of forming hashing table chains is described. A method and apparatus for tracking packet states is described. More particularly, Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”) tracking of states for packets is described. In an embodiment, a division between software states and hardware states is made as a packet is processed by both software and hardware. A method and apparatus for network protocol processing are also described.

主权项

1. A method of forming hashing table chains, comprising:
obtaining a first connection hash value, the first connection hash value pointing to a first slot in the hashing table; obtaining a second connection hash value, the second connection hash value pointing to the first slot in the hashing table; assigning the second connection hash value to a second slot in the hashing table; pointing the first slot toward the second slot; obtaining a third connection hash value, the third connection hash value pointing to the second slot in the hashing table; moving contents of the second slot to a third slot in the hashing table; and assigning the third connection hash value to the second slot in the hashing table.