System and method for storing flow entries in hardware tables

摘要

A system and method for storing flow entries in hardware tables includes one or more controllers, memory, a first flow table for storing first flow entries, and a second flow table for storing second flow entries that override the first flow entries. The first flow table implements a fixed priority and the second flow table a flexible priority. The one or more controllers is configured to determine whether a third flow entry with a first priority can only be stored in the second flow table. When the third flow entry can only be stored in the second flow table, the one or more controllers is further configured to add the third flow entry to the second flow table and move any first flow entries with priorities higher than the first priority that overlap the third flow entry to the second flow table.

主权项

1. A network device comprising:
one or more controllers for controlling the network device; memory coupled to the one or more controllers; a first flow table for storing first flow entries, the first flow table implementing a fixed priority; and a second flow table for storing second flow entries that override the first flow entries, the second flow table implementing a flexible priority and being capable of storing the first flow entries; the one or more controllers being configured to:
determine whether a third flow entry with a first priority can only be stored in the second flow table;when the third flow entry can only be stored in the second flow table:
add the third flow entry to the second flow table; andmove any first flow entries with priorities higher than the first priority that overlap the third flow entry to the second flow table; andforward one or more packets based on the first and second flow entries.