Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes creating at a network element an entry designating an out of order (“OOO”) sequence number range associated with a flow and receiving at the network element a packet associated with the flow, wherein the packet corresponds to a first sequence number range, wherein the first sequence number range falls within the OOO sequence number range designated in the entry. The method may further include updating the entry to remove sequence numbers comprising the first sequence number range from the OOO sequence number range and forwarding the packet without awaiting receipt of any other packets associated with the flow.

Abstract: At least one first frame of a first data flow is inspected by a general processing unit to associate the first data flow with an aggregate session, the aggregate session corresponding to a first set of aggregate data flows including the first data flow and at least one other data flow. Acceleration of the first data flow, by a network processing unit, can be authorized based on the inspection of the at least one first frame. Acceleration of the first data flow can be subject to at least a set of conditions including an aggregate trigger, the aggregate trigger defining that the acceleration of at least the first data flow be halted in response to an aggregate threshold amount of traffic being detected among the first set of aggregate data flows.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow; parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow; executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to their intended destination; receiving a second set of packets, which reflects a retransmission of at least a portion of the first set of packets; executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to their intended destination; and billing the second set of packets in response to forwarding the second set of packets. In more detailed embodiments, the method includes accessing a table in which entries are provided for particular sequence number ranges for the first set of packets.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes creating at a network element an entry designating an out of order (“OOO”) sequence number range associated with a flow and receiving at the network element a packet associated with the flow, wherein the packet corresponds to a first sequence number range, wherein the first sequence number range falls within the OOO sequence number range designated in the entry. The method may further include updating the entry to remove sequence numbers comprising the first sequence number range from the OOO sequence number range and forwarding the packet without awaiting receipt of any other packets associated with the flow.

Abstract: At least one first frame of a first data flow is inspected by a general processing unit to associate the first data flow with an aggregate session, the aggregate session corresponding to a first set of aggregate data flows including the first data flow and at least one other data flow. Acceleration of the first data flow, by a network processing unit, can be authorized based on the inspection of the at least one first frame. Acceleration of the first data flow can be subject to at least a set of conditions including an aggregate trigger, the aggregate trigger defining that the acceleration of at least the first data flow be halted in response to an aggregate threshold amount of traffic being detected among the first set of aggregate data flows.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a request packet associated with a flow; designating an out of order sequence number range associated with the flow; creating an entry that designates the out of order sequence number range; receiving a subsequent packet that includes a particular sequence number range; referencing the out of order sequence number range; resolving a portion of the entry corresponding to the particular sequence number range for the subsequent packet; and forwarding the subsequent packet. In other embodiments, the request packet includes a content length field indicating the out of order sequence number range associated with the flow. Creating the entry can include creating a segment within a queue for the out of order sequence number range, which reflects expected sequence numbers for packets associated with the flow.

Abstract: At least one first frame of a first data flow is inspected by a general processing unit to associate the first data flow with an aggregate session, the aggregate session corresponding to a first set of aggregate data flows including the first data flow and at least one other data flow. Acceleration of the first data flow, by a network processing unit, can be authorized based on the inspection of the at least one first frame. Acceleration of the first data flow can be subject to at least a set of conditions including an aggregate trigger, the aggregate trigger defining that the acceleration of at least the first data flow be halted in response to an aggregate threshold amount of traffic being detected among the first set of aggregate data flows.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a plurality of packets associated with a flow; parsing the plurality of packets associated with the flow; executing a first quality of service decision such that a first set of packets within the plurality of packets are not forwarded to their intended destination; receiving a second set of packets, which reflects a retransmission of at least a portion of the first set of packets; executing a second quality of service decision such that the second set of packets is forwarded to their intended destination; and billing the second set of packets in response to forwarding the second set of packets. In more detailed embodiments, the method includes accessing a table in which entries are provided for particular sequence number ranges for the first set of packets.