Ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) storage system

A non-transitory machine-readable medium embodying instructions that, when executed by a machine, allow the machine to perform a method for ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) retrieval, the method comprising:

• receiving a packet header comprising a plurality of values, wherein at least one of the plurality of values comprises a port number;
• performing a first bitwise operation on the port number to generate a lower bound comparator;
• and a second bitwise operation on the port number to generate an upper bound comparator;
• generating a TCAM input value by combining the port number, the lower bound comparator, the upper bound comparator, and at least some other of the plurality of values of the packet header;
• and
• providing the TCAM input value to a TCAM for comparison with individual entries of the TCAM.

A system for ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) storage, the system comprising:

• a TCAM comprising entries;
• and
• a processor communicatively coupled to the TCAM, wherein the processor is operative to:
• receive a first numerical range;
• determine a first ternary representation of a second numerical range that encompasses the first numerical range;
• and a second ternary representation corresponding to at least one of a lower bound of the first numerical range or an upper bound of the first numerical range;
• and
• store, in one of the entries of the TCAM, the first ternary representation combined with the second ternary representation.