Abstract: A method for inserting a first prefix, including segmenting the first prefix into a first plurality of segments, indexing into a first trie node block using a first segment of the first plurality of segments to obtain a first trie node, obtaining a second segment of the first plurality of segments, determining whether the second segment of the first plurality of segments includes contiguous zeros, if the second segment includes contiguous zeros determining a number of contiguous zeros, determining a first skip level using the number of contiguous zeros, and inserting the first skip level into the first trie node.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates performing a fast address lookup within a packet forwarder to determine where to forward a packet. Upon receiving the packet at an input link of the packet forwarder, the system reads a destination address from the packet. The system uses this destination address to lookup a corresponding entry in a forwarding table that is organized as a multi-bit trie. If the corresponding entry does not identify the output link for the packet, the system backtracks through the multi-bit trie to locate an entry with a prefix that matches the destination address and that identifies the output link for the packet. Finally, the system forwards the packet to the identified output link.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates performing a fast address lookup within a packet forwarder to determine where to forward a packet. Upon receiving the packet at an input link of the packet forwarder, the system reads a destination address from the packet. The system uses this destination address to lookup a corresponding entry in a forwarding table that is organized as a multi-bit trie. If the corresponding entry does not identify the output link for the packet, the system backtracks through the multi-bit trie to locate an entry with a prefix that matches the destination address and that identifies the output link for the packet. Finally, the system forwards the packet to the identified output link.