Partitioning search key thereby distributing table across multiple non-contiguous memory segments, memory banks or memory modules

A switch in a network system, comprising:

• a switch fabric;
• one or more modules coupled to said switch fabric, wherein said one or more modules are configured to process one or more packets of data received from said switch fabric, wherein each of said one or modules comprises a packet processor, wherein said packet processor comprises:
• an internal processor;
• and
• an internal memory unit coupled to said internal processor, wherein said internal memory unit is configured to store one or more levels of a table;
• wherein said internal processor comprises circuitry for:
• receiving a packet of data;
• extracting one or more fields from a packet header of said packet of data to generate a key;
• generating a search key by hashing two or more bits of said key;
• partitioning said search key into a plurality of segments;
• and
• reading a first particular entry in a first level of said table using a first segment of said plurality of segments of said search key, wherein said first level of said table is stored in said internal memory unit.