Hybrid routing table for routing network traffic

An apparatus for using a hybrid routing table to route network packet traffic, the apparatus comprising:

• one or more computer readable storage media;
• a processing system operatively coupled with the one or more computer readable storage media;
• and
• program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media that, when read and executed by the processing system, direct the processing system to:
• receive a packet addressed to a network address having a network prefix;
• traverse one or more tiers of one or more tries in the hybrid routing table using a first portion of the network prefix until a lowest node with key information is reached;
• use a key to locate a value in a hash table of the hybrid routing table, wherein the key comprises the key information and at least a second portion of the network prefix, and wherein the value indicates routing information for the network prefix;
• and
• send the packet to a next hop indicated by the routing information.

One or more computer readable storage media having program instructions stored thereon for using a hybrid routing table to route network packet traffic, the program instructions, when read and executed by a processing system, direct the processing system to:

• receive a packet addressed to a network address having a network prefix;
• traverse one or more tiers of one or more tries in the hybrid routing table using a first portion of the network prefix until a lowest node with key information is reached;
• use a key to locate a value in a hash table of the hybrid routing table, wherein the key comprises the key information and at least a second portion of the network prefix, and wherein the value indicates routing information for the network prefix;
• and
• send the packet to a next hop indicated by the routing information.