Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for splicing a client-server connection. One method includes an operation for splicing a client-server network connection by creating a first network connection between the client and a network device and a second network connection between the network device and the server. The method includes an operation for configuring in the network device a network processing unit (NPU) with a first and second offsets for the first and second network connections respectively. The incoming packets for the first and second network connections are then sent to the NPU for processing, which processes the packets in hardware to achieve low packet latency. The NPU adjusts the sequence number of the incoming packets of the first and second network connections based on the respective first and second offsets. The incoming packets are then sent to the destination after being processed.

Abstract: A network device acting as a forwarding element within a software-defined network receives a representation of configurable flow table definitions and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device creates a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions and installs the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device receives data to populate configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables and populates the flow tables using that data. The network device then selects from forwarding decisions for packets according to the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables, the flow tables, and each packet's values in relevant header fields required by the configurable logic.

Abstract: A network device acting as a forwarding element within a software-defined network receives a representation of configurable flow table definitions and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device creates a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions and installs the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device receives data to populate configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables and populates the flow tables using that data. The network device then selects from forwarding decisions for packets according to the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables, the flow tables, and each packet's values in relevant header fields required by the configurable logic.

Abstract: A network device acting as a forwarding element within a software-defined network receives a representation of configurable flow table definitions and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device creates a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions and installs the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device receives data to populate configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables and populates the flow tables using that data. The network device then selects from forwarding decisions for packets according to the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables, the flow tables, and each packet's values in relevant header fields required by the configurable logic.

Abstract: A network device acts as a controller within a software-defined network. The network device receives a processing definition, which includes a representation of configurable definitions of protocols, configurable flow table definitions, and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables defined by the configurable flow table definitions. The network device translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package, which is distributed to a plurality of forwarding elements. This distribution causes each forwarding element to create a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions. The flow tables include one or more configurable key columns and a set of one or more action columns to store forwarding decisions. The network device transmits data to populate the configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables created within each of the plurality of forwarding elements.

Abstract: A system for flexible and extensible flow processing includes a first network device to act as a controller within a software-defined network. The first network device receives a processing definition, translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package and transmit the parser configuration package to a plurality of forwarding elements, and transmit data to populate flow tables within the plurality of forwarding elements. The system also includes a second and third network device, each acting as a flow switching enabled forwarding element and able to receive a parser configuration package from the first network device. The second network device compiles the parser configuration package into machine code, which is executed on a processor to perform packet processing. The third network device includes a co-processor to execute the parser configuration package to perform packet processing.

Abstract: A system for flexible and extensible flow processing includes a first network device to act as a controller within a software-defined network. The first network device receives a processing definition, translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package and transmit the parser configuration package to a plurality of forwarding elements, and transmit data to populate flow tables within the plurality of forwarding elements. The system also includes a second and third network device, each acting as a flow switching enabled forwarding element and able to receive a parser configuration package from the first network device. The second network device compiles the parser configuration package into machine code, which is executed on a processor to perform packet processing. The third network device includes a co-processor to execute the parser configuration package to perform packet processing.

Abstract: A network device acts as a controller within a software-defined network. The network device receives a processing definition, which includes a representation of configurable definitions of protocols, configurable flow table definitions, and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables defined by the configurable flow table definitions. The network device translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package, which is distributed to a plurality of forwarding elements. This distribution causes each forwarding element to create a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions. The flow tables include one or more configurable key columns and a set of one or more action columns to store forwarding decisions. The network device transmits data to populate the configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables created within each of the plurality of forwarding elements.

Abstract: A network device acting as a forwarding element within a software-defined network receives a representation of configurable flow table definitions and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device creates a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions and installs the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables. The network device receives data to populate configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables and populates the flow tables using that data. The network device then selects from forwarding decisions for packets according to the configurable logic for selecting between flow tables, the flow tables, and each packet's values in relevant header fields required by the configurable logic.