Methods and Apparatus Related to Packet Classification Based on Range Values

An apparatus, comprising:

• a switch fabric of a multi-stage switch of a data center;
• a policy vector module operatively coupled to the switch fabric, the policy vector module configured to receive a data packet and configured to define a set of key vectors based on a set of range values associated with a portion of an address value from the data packet, the policy vector module configured to select a remainder key vector from the set of key vectors, the policy vector module configured to select a policy vector from a policy vector database based on the remainder key vector;
• and
• a packet processing module operatively coupled to the policy vector module and configured to receive the policy vector from the policy vector module, the packet processing module configured to trigger routing of the data packet via the switch fabric when at least one bit value of the policy vector represents that a policy condition associated with a routing policy has been satisfied.