Extended width entries for hash tables

A memory system comprising:

• a memory array storing hash table entries, the entries comprising:
• a first base entry of a predefined base width and comprising a first data field;
• a second base entry of the predefined base width and comprising a second data field;
• and
• write logic in communication with the memory array, the write logic operable to:
• obtain specified data;
• determine that the specified data exceeds a data length supported by the first data field;
• and
• store the specified data across the first and second base entries by:
• separating the specified data into a first portion and a second portion;
• storing the first portion in the first data field;
• storing the second portion in the second data field;
• obtaining a key type value comprising a base type field value and a subtype field value, the subtype field value identifying, as an extended entry for storing the specified data, the combination of the first base entry and the second base entry;
• and
• storing the key type value in the first base entry.

A memory system comprising:

• a memory array storing hash table entries, the entries comprising:
• a first base entry of a predefined base width;
• a second base entry of the predefined base width;
• and
• a third base entry of the predefined base width;
• and
• write logic in communication with the memory array, the write logic operable to:
• obtain specified data;
• determine that the specified data exceeds a data length supported by the first data field;
• obtain a key value;
• and
• store the specified data and the key value across multiple base entries by:
• separating the specified data into a first data portion, a second data portion, and a third data portion;
• separating the key value into a first key portion and a second key portion;
• obtaining a key type value comprising:
• a base type field value identifying, as a flexible width entry for storing the key value, the combination of the first base entry and the second base entry;
• and
• a subtype field value identifying, as an extended entry for storing the specified data, the combination of the flexible width entry and the third base entry;
• storing the first data portion in the first base entry;
• storing the second data portion in the second base entry;
• storing the third data portion in the third base entry;
• storing the first key portion in the first base entry;
• storing the second key portion in the second base entry;
• and
• storing no portion of the key value in the third base entry.