Abstract: A method to offload network function packet processing from a virtual machine onto an offload destination is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises: defining an application programing interface (“API”) for capturing, in a packet processor offload, a network function packet processing for a data flow by specifying how to perform the network function packet processing on data packets that belong to the data flow. Based on capabilities of the packet processor offload and available resources, a packet processing offload destination is selected. Based at least on the API, the packet processor offload for the packet processing offload destination is generated. The packet processor offload is downloaded to the packet processing offload destination to configure the packet processing offload destination to provide the network function packet processing on the data packets that belong to the data flow. The packet processing offload destination is a PNIC or a hypervisor.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance the management of packet filters for host computing systems. In one implementation, a method of managing packet filters for a physical network interface on a host computing system includes obtaining dispatch statistics for media access control (MAC) addresses associated with virtual nodes communicating over the physical network interface via a virtual switch. After obtaining the dispatch statistics, the method further provides identifying a filter configuration based on the dispatch statistics, wherein the filter configuration classifies received packets at the physical network interface into processing queues based on attributes identified in the received packets, and applying the filter configuration in the physical network interface.

Abstract: A method to offload network function packet processing from a virtual machine onto an offload destination is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises: defining an application programing interface (“API”) for capturing, in a packet processor offload, a network function packet processing for a data flow by specifying how to perform the network function packet processing on data packets that belong to the data flow. Based on capabilities of the packet processor offload and available resources, a packet processing offload destination is selected. Based at least on the API, the packet processor offload for the packet processing offload destination is generated. The packet processor offload is downloaded to the packet processing offload destination to configure the packet processing offload destination to provide the network function packet processing on the data packets that belong to the data flow. The packet processing offload destination is a PNIC or a hypervisor.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and software to enhance the management of packet filters for host computing systems. In one implementation, a method of managing packet filters for a physical network interface on a host computing system includes obtaining dispatch statistics for media access control (MAC) addresses associated with virtual nodes communicating over the physical network interface via a virtual switch. After obtaining the dispatch statistics, the method further provides identifying a filter configuration based on the dispatch statistics, wherein the filter configuration classifies received packets at the physical network interface into processing queues based on attributes identified in the received packets, and applying the filter configuration in the physical network interface.