METHODS OF ALTERING DYNAMIC DECISION TREES

A data packet switch includes a decision tree for classifying data packets, which can be dynamically modified. To conserve memory resources nodes which are found during modification to have matching effects are combined. If only a subset of paths to a node are relevant to a modification, the node is split. Prior to implementation of the modifications, temporary nodes are inserted before modified nodes to preserve existing paths. These temporary nodes are controlled by a single memory value which can be changed to effect all the modifications to the decision tree simultaneously.