System and method for obtaining packet forwarding information

A method of obtaining packet forwarding data comprising the steps of:

• storing an index in a conversion TCAM;
• storing first and second sets of lookup values in a forwarding table TCAM;
• receiving incoming packet identification information;
• processing incoming packet identification information to create a first search word;
• performing a first lookup on the first search word in the conversion TCAM, wherein the output of the first lookup is used to create a second search word;
• processing the output of the first lookup to create a second search word;
• performing a second lookup on the second search word in the forwarding table TCAM, wherein the output of the second lookup is used to obtain packet forwarding data.

A method of obtaining packet forwarding data comprising the steps of:

• defining a first set of virtual routers;
• defining a second set of virtual routers;
• assigning the route data of the first set of virtual routers to a first set of lookup values having a short key;
• assigning the route data of the second set of virtual routers to a second set of lookup values having a long key;
• receiving incoming packet identification information including a VRID and route data;
• and
• if the VRID of the incoming packet identification information corresponds to a virtual router in the first set, then performing a lookup in the first set of lookup values using a short key;
• or
• if the VRID of the incoming packet identification information does not correspond to a virtual router in the first set, then performing a lookup in the second set of lookup values using a long key.