System and method utilizing multiple search trees to route data within a data processing network

摘要

A system and method for efficiently routing data within a network, such as a local area network. A search tree is utilized within the bridge/router in order to store addresses. The search tree is utilized by the router for more efficiently and more quickly determining where one or more received frames of data are to be transmitted within the network. Maintenance of the search trees is also provided so that new addresses may be added to the search trees and addresses may be deleted from the search trees. The search trees are developed by partitioning the addresses into bit groups.