Method and apparatus for ternary content addressable meomry (TCAM) table management

A method and a system for managing a TCAM table are disclosed. A new route is inserted into the TCAM table at an available location using an index. The new route is added into a Patricia tree organized by a mask length associated with the new route. Routes having common prefixes with the new route are searched for in Patricia trees organized by longer mask lengths and in Patricia trees organized by shorter mask lengths to locate a chain for the new route. The chain for the new route groups routes having common prefixes. The routes in the chain are sequenced in an order of longer prefix first such that a route at a top of the chain has a longest prefix. A swap of routes in the chain is performed to accommodate the new route and to maintain the longer prefix first order.