Handle allocation managers and methods for integated circuit search engine devices

摘要

A handle allocation manager is provided for an integrated circuit search engine device that includes multiple stages of a multilevel tree of search keys and a handle memory. The handle allocation manager includes a handle availability memory that stores handle availability indicators to provide an indication of whether a handle is available for association with a key. A handle availability summary memory stores indicators for groups of handles and a block availability summary memory stores indicators for multiple groups of handle availability summary memories. The handle allocation manager can use these memories to search for a next available handle. Related methods are also provided.