Importance

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Abstract

A network switch configured for switching data packets across multiple switch ports includes in each network switch port a hash key generator configured to generate a hash key for each network address in a received data packet. Each data packet received by a network switch port includes a source address and a destination address according to IEEE 802.3 protocol. The hash key generator in the corresponding network switch port generates the hash key for the source and destination addresses as the data packet is received by the network switch port, minimizing processing latency in generating the hash key. The hash keys are forwarded to an address table configured to include a programmable number of bin entries, where each bin entry is configured to reference a plurality of address table entries storing the switching logic information for respective network addresses. The hash key, which references a selected one of the bin entries, is used to obtain the switching logic for the corresponding address by accessing the appropriate table entry referenced by the selected bin entry.

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