Patent ID: 6230231
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for calculating a cache line index into an address cache containing information used in the processing of network data units, comprising the steps of:organizing an address into a plurality of intermediate elements, wherein said organizing includes performing a bit wise shift on at least one portion of said address, and employing a result of said bit wise shift as at least one of said plurality of intermediate elements; andfolding said intermediate elements together with an exclusive-OR function, wherein a result of said folding includes said cache line index, and where in the folding includes encompassing a predetermined one of the intermediate elements in the calculation of each bit of the cache line index, wherein the predetermined one of the intermediate elements includes bits more likely to differ in value between any two addresses than bits in other ones of the intermediate elements, wherein the encompassing of the predetermined one of the intermediate elements in the calculation of each bit of the cache line index provides more uniform distribution of cache line index values,wherein only a subset of the intermediate elements are stored in a tag portion of a cache entry.