Method and apparatus for performing hierarchical address translation

A method and a device for translating a hierarchical address, the device is adapted to receive a destination address, to search an array of sorted binary string being associated with a group of addresses reachable through the device, and to provide a best matching address, the device comprising: a content addressable memory module, for storing a first portion of the array of sorted binary strings; a fast memory module, for storing a second portion of the sorted binary strings; a memory module, for storing a remaining portion of the tree of sorted strings; and a search engine, coupled to the content addressable memory unit module, the fast memory module and the memory module, configured to receive a destination address, access at least the fast memory unit and the memory unit and to find the best matching address.