Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of tunneling a data packet by encapsulating the data packet with a protocol header and specifying information in the fields of the header in a manner that a network switch can offload processing tasks to its network interface controller. The switch on a transmit side sends the processed data packet through the tunnel to another switch on a receive side. The two sides represent the two ends of the tunnel established between the two switches. Each of the transmit and received side switches is controlled by a switch controller, which in some embodiments is implemented as software. The switch controllers and network interface controllers together process the data packet which is being transferred through the tunnel between the switches.

Abstract: A novel method for logically routing a packet between a source machine that is in a first logical domain and a destination machine that is in a second logical domain is described. The method configures a managed switching element as a second-level managed switching element. The method configures a router in a host that includes the second-level managed switching element. The method communicatively couples the second-level managed switching element with the router. The method causes the router to route a packet when the router receives a packet from the first logical domain that is addressed to the second logical domain.

Abstract: A novel method for configuring first and second managed forwarding elements to perform logical L2 switching and L3 routing is described. The method generates a first set of flow entries for configuring the first managed forwarding element to perform logical L2 ingress processing and L3 routing processing. The method generates a second set of flow entries for configuring the second managed forwarding element to performing logical L2 egress processing.

Abstract: In general, the present invention relates to a virtual platform in which one or more distributed virtual switches can be created for use in virtual networking. According to some aspects, the distributed virtual switch according to the invention provides the ability for virtual and physical machines to more readily, securely, and efficiently communicate with each other even if they are not located on the same physical host and/or in the same subnet or VLAN. According other aspects, the distributed virtual switches of the invention can support integration with traditional IP networks and support sophisticated IP technologies including NAT functionality, stateful firewalling, and notifying the IP network of workload migration. According to further aspects, the virtual platform of the invention creates one or more distributed virtual switches which may be allocated to a tenant, application, or other entity requiring isolation and/or independent configuration state.