Abstract: A network element includes a data structure, a cache memory and circuitry. The data structure is configured to store multiple rules specifying processing of packets received from a communication network. The cache memory is configured to cache multiple rules including a subset of the rules stored in the data structure. Each rule that is cached in the cache memory has a respective cost value corresponding to a cost of retrieving the rule from the data structure. The circuitry is configured to receive one or more packets from the communication network, to process the received packets in accordance with one or more of the rules, by retrieving the rules from the cache memory when available, or from the data structure otherwise, to select a rule to be evicted from the cache memory, based on one or more respective cost values of the rules currently cached, and to evict the selected rule.

Abstract: A network element includes a data structure, a cache memory and circuitry. The data structure is configured to store multiple rules specifying processing of packets received from a communication network. The cache memory is configured to cache multiple rules including a subset of the rules stored in the data structure. Each rule that is cached in the cache memory has a respective cost value corresponding to a cost of retrieving the rule from the data structure. The circuitry is configured to receive one or more packets from the communication network, to process the received packets in accordance with one or more of the rules, by retrieving the rules from the cache memory when available, or from the data structure otherwise, to select a rule to be evicted from the cache memory, based on one or more respective cost values of the rules currently cached, and to evict the selected rule.

Abstract: A data packet is received in a network element. The network element has a cache memory in which cache entries represent a portion of addresses stored in a main memory, The destination address and the cache entries each comprise a binary number. A first determination is made that a number M of the most significant bits of a cache entry and the destination address are identical. A second determination is made that an additional number M+L of the most significant bits of a cache entry and the destination address are identical. Routing information is then retrieved the cache memory, and the packet processed according to the routing information.

Abstract: A data packet is received in a network element. The network element has a cache memory in which cache entries represent a portion of addresses stored in a main memory, The destination address and the cache entries each comprise a binary number. A first determination is made that a number M of the most significant bits of a cache entry and the destination address are identical. A second determination is made that an additional number M+L of the most significant bits of a cache entry and the destination address are identical. Routing information is then retrieved the cache memory, and the packet processed according to the routing information.