A method of translating a virtual address to a real address. A first entry from a first table or other source includes a plurality of second table addressing parameters including a second table origin and a second table length. A second table address is provided by combining the second table origin with a second table index from the virtual address. The second table address is used for indexing into the second table to access a second table entry in the second table. A post-comparing of one or more of the second table addressing parameters with the second table index from the virtual address is performed to form one or more results. The virtual address processing continues using the second table entry if the comparing provides an affirmative result and if the comparing provides a negative result an exception is taken.