System and method for processing packets

The present invention provides a system and method for processing packetized data or packets through a communications switch using a Fast Flow-Forwarding ("FFF") system. FFF provides expedited forwarding of packets based on pattern matching and data manipulation rules that cross protocol layer boundaries. More specifically, the present invention provides a method for processing a packet in which the packet is received and processed using one or more transformation rules whenever the packet satisfies one or more identification rules. Otherwise, the packet is processed using a standard process whenever the packet does not satisfy the one or more identification rules. This method can be implemented using a computer program having a code segment to execute each step of the method.