Patent attributes
A network switch includes a matching device that employs a first data structure to select one of N address groups including a first partial address of an IP packet. An action table selects one of a next hop location corresponding to a longest prefix match and a first matching operation for the IP packet based on the selected one of the N groups. When the first matching operation is selected, the matching device employs a second data structure to select one of M address groups including a second partial address of the IP packet. The action table selects one of a next hop location corresponding to a longest prefix match and a second matching operation for the IP packet based on the selected one of the M groups. A routing engine routes the IP packet based on the first and second next hop locations.
