Cached IP routing tree for longest prefix search

摘要

Architecture for processing routing information in a data network. A set of routing information entries is provided in a routing database of a first storage location. A subset of the routing information entries is created in a second storage location, which subset of the routing information entries are in the structure of an IP tree. Packet routing information of an incoming packet is extracted, which packet routing information includes multiple byte parts. The second storage location is accessed to compare the multiple byte parts of the packet routing information sequentially with respective entries of the subset of routing information entries to determine forwarding information. The subset of routing information in the second location is adjusted dynamically in response to the availability of the packet routing information in the subset of routing information entries.