Efficient entry-reduction algorithm for TCAM-based IP forwarding engine

Ternary content-addressable memory has been widely used to perform fast routing lookups. It is able to accomplish the best matching prefix searching in O(1) time without considering the number of prefixes and their lengths. As compared to software-based solutions, ternary content-addressable memory can offer sustained throughput and simple system architecture. However, it also comes with several shortcomings, such as a limited number of entries, and enormous cost and power consumption. Accordingly, an efficient algorithm is proposed to reduce the required size of ternary content-addressable memory. The proposed scheme can eliminate 98% of ternary content-addressable memory entries by adding comparatively little DRAM and, thus, is attractive for IPv6 routing lookup.