Systems and method for routing data

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and systems for routing data. One embodiment comprises a filter mask and route determination logic. The filter mask is operable to produce a filter value from the data. Then, the route determination logic may determine where the data is to be accepted or rejected based on rules associated with the filter value. Accepted data is prioritized and associated with a particular path in a plurality of paths.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A system for routing data, the system comprising:
 a filter mask operable to produce a filter value from the data; and   route determination logic operable to accept or reject the data according to rules associated with the filter value, wherein accepted data is prioritized and associated with a particular path in a plurality of paths.   
     
     
         20 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data is a frame. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of paths comprises loops. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data is routed according to a predefined rule. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data is rejected according to predefined rule. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the data is grouped according to priority. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the filter mask is applied to the data by a processor. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the route determination logic is associated with instructions for a processor. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the system is operably connected to a DMA control module. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein each path in the plurality of paths is associated with a different priority. 
     
     
         32 . A method for routing data, the method comprising:
 applying a filter mask to the data to produce a filter value; and   determining to accept or reject the data according to rules associated with the filter value, wherein accepted data is prioritized and associated with a particular path in a plurality of paths.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the data is a frame. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of paths comprises loops. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the data is routed according to a predefined rule. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the data is rejected according to predefined rule. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the data is grouped according to priority. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the filter mask is applied to the data by a processor. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the accepted data is prioritized by a processor. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the method is performed by a DMA control module. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein each path in the plurality of paths is associated with a different priority.