LOOK UP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORWARDING TABLE

摘要

An apparatus and a method for searching a forwarding table are provided to effectively manage a forwarding table by continuously maintaining the sorting order of forwarding entries even if a forwarding entry is added or deleted. A data storage unit(410) stores a forwarding table including a plurality of forwarding entries which are divided into a plurality of groups, in each of which the forwarding entries are sorted in the order of MAC(Media Access Control) address values and stored, and a plurality of databases having hash keys corresponding to each group and forwarding entries. A hashing unit(420) converts an inputted MAC address into a hash key, and selects a search group and a search forwarding entry by using some bits and the other remaining bits of the hash key. If the inputted MAC address is the same as a MAC address extracted from the search forwarding entry, a port information output unit(430) outputs output port information of the search forwarding entry. If the MAC addresses are different, the port information output unit searches and obtains a forwarding entry having the inputted MAC address and outputs output port information.