Generic header parser providing support for data transport protocol independent packet voice solutions

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing packets carrying a voice payload are presented. The apparatus provides for the reduction of packet transport overheads by embedding a context switching header within pre-existing data transport protocol headers using spare bits as much as possible. The solution provides configurable support for multi-vendor equipment. Provisions are made for the hardware extraction of the context switching header from the packets as well as for the extraction of packets carrying a voice payload from a stream of packets carrying a mixed data traffic. The hardware extraction is supported using bit masks.