Arista Networks, Inc.
Variable TCAM actions

Abstract:

Described herein are various embodiments of a network element comprising a network port to receive a unit of network data and a data plane coupled to the network port. In one embodiment the data plane includes a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) module to compare a first set of bits in the unit of network data with a second set of bits in a key associated with a TCAM rule. The second set of bits includes a first subset of bits and a second subset of bits and the TCAM module includes first logic to compare one or more bits in the first set of bits against the second set of bits, and second logic to select an action or a result using bits from either the second subset of bits, from the unit of network data, or from meta data associated with the unit of network data. Other embodiments are also described.