Abstract: Integrated circuit search engine devices include serially connected stages, a handle memory and a handle memory access manager. The stages store search keys in a multilevel tree of search keys. A first level stage is responsive to an input search key and a last level stage identifies a best match key for the input search key. The handle memory includes handle memory locations that store search result handles. The handle memory access manager searches the handle memory to retrieve a search result handle that corresponds to a best match key. The handle memory access manager refrains from modifying the handle memory in response to modify instructions during active periods of the handle memory when the handle memory is being searched. The handle memory access manager modifies the handle memory in response to the modify instructions during idle periods of the handle memory when the handle memory is not being searched. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A handle allocation manager is provided for an integrated circuit search engine device that includes multiple stages of a multilevel tree of search keys and a handle memory. The handle allocation manager includes a handle availability memory that stores handle availability indicators to provide an indication of whether a handle is available for association with a key. A handle availability summary memory stores indicators for groups of handles and a block availability summary memory stores indicators for multiple groups of handle availability summary memories. The handle allocation manager can use these memories to search for a next available handle. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of updating b-tree data structures (e.g., b*tree data structure) using search key insertion and deletion operations proceed from respective known states (e.g., respective canonical forms). These insertion operations include inserting a first search key into the b-tree by reconfiguring (e.g., pre-processing) a plurality of sibling nodes of the b-tree into a predetermined overloaded form having a shape that is independent of a value of the first search key to be inserted therein. An operation is then performed to split the sibling nodes by redistributing the first and other search keys among an expanded plurality of the sibling nodes. These insertion operations use a process that trades off possibly performing additional memory accesses (e.g., to shift search keys (and/or handles or pointers) to the predetermined overloaded form) for the certainty that the same key movements are ultimately performed during operations to split sibling nodes.