Network device that utilizes TCAM configured to output multiple match indices

A method for determining actions to be performed on packets by a network device, the method comprising:

• providing a search key corresponding to a first packet to a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM);
• determining, by the TCAM, that the search key matches one or more search patterns amongst a plurality of search patterns stored in the TCAM;
• retrieving respective priority information associated with the one or more search patterns from respective one or more entries in a memory separate from the TCAM, the respective priority information indicating one or more respective priority levels of the one or more search patterns that match the search key;
• selecting, by the network device, one search pattern among the one or more search patterns at least by analyzing the respective priority information associated with the one or more search patterns;
• and
• in connection with selecting the one search pattern, determining, by the network device, one or more actions to be performed on the first packet by the network device, the one or more actions corresponding to the one search pattern.

A network device, comprising:

• a packet processor configured to process packets communicated over a network, the processing including generating a search key representative of a first packet;
• and
• a lookup engine coupled to the packet processor, the lookup engine comprising:
• a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) configured to store a plurality of search patterns in respective entries among a plurality of entries of the TCAM, wherein the plurality of entries are organized in a plurality of groups of multiple entries, wherein the TCAM is further configured to, in response to determining that the search key matches one or more search patterns stored in the TCAM, generate one or more indices corresponding to the one or more search patterns that match the search key, and wherein the TCAM is configured to generate at most one index for each group of multiple entries, the at most one index indicating at most one search pattern in the corresponding group of multiple entries that matches the search key;
• a memory separate from the TCAM;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• select one search pattern, from among the one or more search patterns that match the search key, at least by analyzing respective priority information associated with the one or more search patterns, the respective priority information indicating one or more respective priority levels, and
• in connection with selecting the one search pattern, determine a processing rule that corresponds to the one selected search pattern and provide the processing rule to the packet processor to process the first packet according to the processing rule.

A method for determining actions to be performed on packets by a network device, the method comprising:

• providing a search key corresponding to a first packet to a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM), wherein the TCAM comprises a plurality of entries organized in a plurality of groups of multiple entries;
• determining, by the TCAM, that the search key matches one or more search patterns amongst a plurality of search patterns stored in the TCAM;
• generating, by the TCAM, at most one index for each group of multiple entries, the at most one index indicating at most one search pattern in the corresponding group of multiple entries that matches the search key;
• selecting, by the network device, one search pattern among the one or more search patterns at least by analyzing respective priority information associated with the one or more search patterns, the respective priority information indicating one or more respective priority levels;
• and
• in connection with selecting the one search pattern, determining, by the network device, one or more actions to be performed on the first packet by the network device, the one or more actions corresponding to the one search pattern.