Methods and apparatuses are provided for detecting traffic patterns in a data network. A sequential hashing scheme can be utilized that has D hash arrays. Each hash array i, wherein 1≦i≦D, includes Mi independent hash tables each having K buckets, with each of the buckets having an associated traffic total. Each of the keys corresponds with a single bucket of each of the Mi independent hash tables of each hash array i. The keys of the data network are partitioned into D words. As traffic is received for a key, a traffic total of each bucket that corresponds with a key is updated. The hash arrays can then be utilized to identify high traffic buckets of the independent hash tables having a traffic total greater than a threshold value. The high traffic buckets can be used to detect significant traffic patterns of the data network.