Abstract: Exemplary methods in a first network device in a control plane include generating a prefix distribution list comprising of prefix lengths and corresponding prefix counts, each prefix count identifies a total number of prefixes of each corresponding prefix length. In one embodiment, the methods include generating a priority distribution list comprising of priorities and corresponding rule counts, each rule count identifies a total number of rules of each corresponding priority. In one embodiment, the methods include sending the prefix distribution list to a second network device in a forwarding plane, causing the second network device to generate a forwarding table based on the prefix lengths and corresponding prefix counts. In one embodiment, the methods include sending the priority distribution list to the second network device causing the second network device to generate a forwarding table based on the priorities and corresponding rule counts.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for controlling forwarding table performance include a first network device in a control plane determining a first performance requirement of a first forwarding table in a forwarding plane based on an overall performance requirement of a plurality forwarding tables in the forwarding plane. In one embodiment, in response to determining the first forwarding table in the forwarding plane can be generated to satisfy the first performance requirement, the methods include the first network device sending a first message that includes the first performance requirement to a second network device in the forwarding plane, causing the second network device to generate the first forwarding table that satisfies the first performance requirement. In one embodiment, the exemplary methods include the second network device generating the first forwarding table that satisfies the first performance requirement included in the first message.

Abstract: Exemplary methods in a first network device in a control plane include generating a prefix distribution list comprising of prefix lengths and corresponding prefix counts, each prefix count identifies a total number of prefixes of each corresponding prefix length. In one embodiment, the methods include generating a priority distribution list comprising of priorities and corresponding rule counts, each rule count identifies a total number of rules of each corresponding priority. In one embodiment, the methods include sending the prefix distribution list to a second network device in a forwarding plane, causing the second network device to generate a forwarding table based on the prefix lengths and corresponding prefix counts. In one embodiment, the methods include sending the priority distribution list to the second network device causing the second network device to generate a forwarding table based on the priorities and corresponding rule counts.

Abstract: Exemplary methods for controlling forwarding table performance include a first network device in a control plane determining a first performance requirement of a first forwarding table in a forwarding plane based on an overall performance requirement of a plurality forwarding tables in the forwarding plane. In one embodiment, in response to determining the first forwarding table in the forwarding plane can be generated to satisfy the first performance requirement, the methods include the first network device sending a first message that includes the first performance requirement to a second network device in the forwarding plane, causing the second network device to generate the first forwarding table that satisfies the first performance requirement. In one embodiment, the exemplary methods include the second network device generating the first forwarding table that satisfies the first performance requirement included in the first message.