Patent ID: 6868085

Claim:
A method for conveying a data packet from a first node to a second node comprising the steps of: reading a first VPI and a first VCI from said data packet at said first node; storing said first VPI and said first VCI in a computer memory location; simultaneously searching for a second VPI and a second VCI in parallel in a plurality of subtables, one subtable in said plurality of subtables containing said second VPI and said second VCI matching said first VPI and said first VCI; replacing said first VPI and said first VCI in said data packet with a third VPI and a third VCI, said third VPI and said third VCI associated with said second VPI and said second VCI; and conveying said data packet to said second node; wherein said plurality of subtables are constructed by dividing a first table, said first table containing said second VPI and said second VCI and said third VPI and said third VCI associated with said second VPI and said second VCI, and wherein the number of said plurality of subtables is determined by dividing a number of entries in said first table by a value representing the time it takes for said data packet to pass through said first node.