Methods systems and computer program products for processing an event based on policy rules using hashing

• Main Authors: Callis, Gregory M, Franks, Jon Kevin, Huynh, Lap Thiet, Nguyen, Loan, Shannon, Diane Iupe, Yang, David Yu Pin
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.11.2004

The present invention relates to policy rule based operations and more particularly to policy rule based computer network systems such as computer networks. Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems and computer program products which provide for processing an event having a classification based on associated policy rules where the policy rules are conditioned on the classification. A policy rules hash table is provided including a plurality of policy rule entries, each policy rule entry being associated with a hash index. A hash index is generated using a classification hash length based on the classification of the event, the classification having an associated length at least equal to the classification hash length. A policy rule entry in the policy rules hash table is identified that corresponds to the generated hash index. It is determined if a classification field length associated with the identified policy rule corresponds to the classification hash length. The identified policy rule entry is executed if the hash length associated with the identified policy rule corresponds to the classification hash length.