Abstract: Techniques for forward error correction are disclosed. These techniques include receiving a forward error correction codeword transmitted over a communication network, the codeword including a parity portion and a payload portion. The techniques further include determining, based on the parity portion, to disable forward error correction for the codeword. The techniques further include disabling forward error correction for the codeword.

Abstract: Cascading a lookup over multiple lookup tables when performing multicast forwarding involves accessing a first lookup table based on at least part of a multicast destination address included in a packet header. The first lookup table identifies the portion (e.g., one or more entries) of a second lookup table in response to a key generated from a first portion of the packet header. The portion of the second lookup table can be accessed based on a second portion of the packet header. The second lookup table identifies at least one output interface via which the packet should be output. Such systems and methods may, in some embodiments, allow existing hardware to be used to support a new addressing format that involves larger addresses than were previously supported by that hardware.