Adaptive cache for caching context and for adapting to collisions in a session lookup table

摘要

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for an adaptive cache for caching context and for adapting to collisions in session lookup table. A network processor chip may comprise an on-chip cache that stores transport control blocks (TCB) from a TCB array in external memory to reduce latency in active transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) sessions. The on-chip cache may comprise a tag portion implemented using a content addressable memory (CAM) and a data portion implemented using a random access memory (RAM). When a session collision occurs the context of a subsequent network connection may be stored in a data overflow portion of an overflow table in the on-chip cache. A search key associated with the subsequent network connection that comprises network connection parameters may be stored in a tag overflow portion of the overflow table.