Protocol-independent multi-table packet routing using shared memory resource

A method, comprising:

• generating, in response to receiving a first packet at a first flow table, a first secure signature of a lookup key of the first flow table;
• generating, in response to receiving the first packet at a second flow table, a second secure signature of a lookup key for the second flow table;
• storing, in a shared hash table, the first secure signature and a first value corresponding to the first secure signature;
• and
• storing, in the shared hash table, the second secure signature and a second value corresponding to the second secure signature,
• wherein the first flow table and the second flow table are capable of routing packets having any combination of protocol headers, including protocol headers for protocols that were not yet developed at a time the shared hash table was developed.

A chip, comprising:

• one or more ingress ports for receiving data packets;
• and
• a memory storing a hash table, the hash table being accessible by a plurality of different flow tables;
• wherein the chip is adapted to:
• receive an incoming data packet having any combination of headers, including headers developed after the chip was developed;
• generate a first lookup key signature based on a first header and a first of the plurality of different flow tables;
• access the hash table, using the generated first lookup key signature, to determine destination information for the packet;
• and
• transmit the packet based on the destination information, wherein transmitting the packet comprises sending the packet to a second of the plurality of different flow tables.