Method of associating forwarding references with data packets by means of a TRIE memory, and packet processing device applying such method

摘要

Different portions of a header of each packet containing protocol data are analyzed in succession from different gate registers of the TRIE memory. As a packet arrives, its header is stored in a buffer memory and a first portion of the stored header is analyzed. Each analysis of a portion of header produces either the forwarding reference associated with the packet or an intermediate reference containing a first code, making it possible to locate at an arbitrary location of the buffer memory a next portion to be analyzed, and a second code, making it possible to locate at an arbitrary location of the TRIE memory a gate register from which this next portion is to be analyzed. Having analyzed the first portion of a stored header, the subsequent portions thereof are analyzed in accordance with the first and second codes contained in the intermediate references produced in succession until the forwarding reference is produced.