Patent ID: 6563823
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for forwarding packets, comprising the steps of:a) receiving an address for a packet; matching said address with a longest prefix stored in a routing table constructed using p-structures, wherein each p-structure is represented as an array having a first part and a second part, the first part containing forwarding information for the packet called a decision value, and the second part containing a pointer to another p-structure by: a) initializing a current partition member to a first partition member; b) translating said address into a p-structure index utilizing partition information stored for said current partition member; c) storing a decision value associated with said index; d) determining whether a pointer is associated with said index; e) setting said current partition member to a next partition member associated with said pointer if there is a pointer associated with said index; f) repeating steps b) to e) until there is no pointer associated with said index; retrieving the decision value associated with said longest prefix; and forwarding said packet in according with said decision value.