Hash-based prefix-compressed trie for IP route lookup

摘要

A method and apparatus for performing an Internet Protocol (IP) network lookup in a forwarding device including an internal processor memory storing a first next hop information table and membership query information, and an external processor memory storing a plurality of prefix-compressed trees and a second next hop information table is described. In another embodiment consistent with present invention, a method (and apparatus) for creating stored data structures representing network forwarding information used for network route lookup is described.