Automated free entry management for content-addressable memory using virtual page pre-fetch

A memory management system to manage free entries in a content-addressable memory comprising:

• a content-addressable memory;
• a virtual page assignment pointer coupled to said content-addressable memory, wherein said virtual page assignment pointer is configured to assign a plurality of memory locations in said content-addressable memory to a plurality of virtual pages;
• a free entry pointer coupled to said content-addressable memory, said free entry pointer is configured to identify an address of at least one free memory location from at least one of said virtual pages;
• and
• a free entry list coupled to said content-addressable memory, said free entry list is configured to store said address.

A network element comprising:

• a content-addressable memory;
• a processor coupled to said content-addressable memory, said processor is configured to
• assign a plurality of memory locations in said content-addressable memory to a plurality of virtual pages,
• pre-fetch an address of at least one free memory location from at least one of said virtual pages, and
• store said address in a free entry list.

A system for managing free entries in a content-addressable memory comprising:

• means for assigning a plurality of memory locations in said content-addressable memory to a plurality of virtual pages;
• means for pre-fetching an address of at least one free memory location from at least one of said virtual pages;
• and
• means for storing said address in a free entry list.

A computer program product for managing free entries in a content-addressable memory, encoded in computer readable media, said program product comprising a set of instructions executable on a computer system, said set of instructions configured to:

• assign a plurality of memory locations in said content-addressable memory to a plurality of virtual pages;
• pre-fetch an address of at least one free memory location from at least one of said virtual pages;
• and
• store said address in a free entry list.