1. A method for accessing data from a search index, the method comprising: receiving a hash value corresponding with a search term from a search query; identifying a first storage location on a first storage device that stores a plurality of data entries each containing an entry hash value corresponding with both a term and an address locating a posting list for the term, the first storage location also storing an address of a second storage location on a second data storage device, the address comprises a continuing search list for identifying the hash value; upon determining that the hash value is stored at the first storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a posting list from the first storage location is retrieved; and (2) accessing the address in the posting list; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the first storage location: (1) retrieving an address of the second storage location on the second storage device from the first storage location; upon determining that the hash value is stored at the second storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a posting list from the second storage location; and (2) accessing the address in the posting list; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the second storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a third storage location on a third storage device from the second storage location; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the third storage location: (1) determining to abandon searching for the hash value; and upon determining that the hash value is stored at the third storage location: (1) accessing the posting list from the third storage location.
1. A method for accessing data from a search index, the method comprising: receiving a hash value corresponding with a search term from a search query; identifying a first storage location on a first storage device that stores a plurality of data entries each containing an entry hash value corresponding with both a term and an address locating a posting list for the term, the first storage location also storing an address of a second storage location on a second data storage device, the address comprises a continuing search list for identifying the hash value; upon determining that the hash value is stored at the first storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a posting list from the first storage location is retrieved; and (2) accessing the address in the posting list; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the first storage location: (1) retrieving an address of the second storage location on the second storage device from the first storage location; upon determining that the hash value is stored at the second storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a posting list from the second storage location; and (2) accessing the address in the posting list; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the second storage location: (1) retrieving an address of a third storage location on a third storage device from the second storage location; upon determining that the hash value is not stored at the third storage location: (1) determining to abandon searching for the hash value; and upon determining that the hash value is stored at the third storage location: (1) accessing the posting list from the third storage location. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first storage location on the first storage device is identified based on a second hash value corresponding with the search term.