A value is hashed and then a lookup operation is performed in a content
addressable memory based on the hashed value to generate a content
addressable memory result, which is used in performing an operation. In
one implementation, the content addressable memory result includes an
address, and the operation performed includes retrieving a record from
memory, comparing a key value stored in the record to the first value to
identify the correct record, and then updating a statistics value in the
record. In one embodiment, an original value is masked to generate the
value which is hashed. In one implementation, the value corresponds to a
masked or original flow identification value associated with a flow of
packets.