Processing data across packet boundaries

摘要

Data that spans multiple packets is processes. A finite state machine is used to process the data in each packet and the "state" of a finite state machine is saved after processing a packet. The saved state is stored with information that identifies the particular data stream from which the packet originated. This means that a state machine engine (hardware implementation of the finite state machine) is not tied to a particular data stream. The present invention makes it possible to utilize state machine co-processors very efficiently in a multiple engine/multiple data stream system.