Device for processing data packets without use of a microprocessor and a memory

Abstract

A method of processing data packets includes receiving a plurality of the data packets at a selected node. Pertinent information in the data packets is extracted. The pertinent information is pertinent to the selected node. A plurality of response data packets are generated based on the pertinent information. The extracting and generating steps are performed without use of a microprocessor.

1 . A method of processing data packets, comprising: 
 receiving, from a source address, a plurality of the data packets at a selected node;    extracting only pertinent information from the data packets while ignoring non-pertinent information from the data packets, the pertinent information being pertinent to said selected node; and    generating a plurality of response data packets directed to said source address based on the pertinent information, wherein said extracting and generating steps are performed without use of a microprocessor.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extracting and generating steps are performed without use of a storage memory.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said selected node includes a peripheral device, the pertinent information being pertinent to said peripheral device.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising the further step of transmitting the response data packets to a packetized data network.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said receiving step includes receiving the data packets from a packetized data network.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said pertinent information includes a packet payload.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising the further step of passing the packet payload to a peripheral device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said extracting step includes extracting header information.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said response data packets include the header information.  
   
   
       11 . A data packet communication system, comprising: 
 a peripheral device; and    a filter device connected to said peripheral device, said filter device being configured to receive a plurality of data packets from a source address and identify only pertinent information in said data packets while ignoring non-pertinent information from said data packets, said pertinent information being pertinent to said peripheral device.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said filter device is microprocessorless.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein said filter device is memoryless.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a packet generator connected to said peripheral device and said filter device, said packet generator being configured to generate a plurality of response data packets directed to said source address based on said pertinent information.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said packet generator is configured to transmit said response data packets.  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said filter device is configured to receive the data packets from a packetized data network.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an interface interconnecting said peripheral device and said filter device.  
   
   
       21 . A data packet communication device, comprising: 
 a filter device configured to receive a plurality of data packets from a source address and identify only pertinent information in said data packets while ignoring non-pertinent information from said data packets; and    a packet generator configured to generate a plurality of response data packets directed to said source address based on said pertinent information.    
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein each of said filter device and said packet generator is microprocessorless.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein each of said filter device and said packet generator is memoryless.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said packet generator is configured to transmit said response data packets.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein said packet generator is configured to transmit said response data packets to a packetized data network.  
   
   
       26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said filter device is configured to receive the data packets from a packetized data network.  
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said packet generator comprises an N to M decoder.  
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein said pertinent information comprises selected bytes within said data packets.  
   
   
       31 . A method of processing data packets, comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of said data packets at a payload data consumer;    extracting only pertinent information from said data packets while ignoring non-pertinent information from said data packets, said pertinent information being pertinent to said payload data consumer, wherein said pertinent information includes payload data; and    consuming said payload data at said payload data consumer.