System and method of hitless reconfiguration of a data processing pipeline with standby pipeline

A method to process data by a network element with a data processing pipeline, the method comprising:

• preparing a new image for the data processing pipeline of the network element, wherein the data processing pipeline processes incoming network data received by the network element and the new image modifies a current set of functionalities of the data processing pipeline, wherein a modification of the current set of functionalities of the data processing pipeline is selected from the group consisting of adding a new functionality to the data processing pipeline, deleting an existing functionality of the data processing pipeline, re-ordering a functionality of the data processing pipeline, and changing an existing functionality of the data processing pipeline, wherein the changing the existing functionality of the data processing pipeline includes modifying a table size of the existing functionality;
• writing the new image into a standby memory of the data processing pipeline, wherein the network element includes an active memory that programs the current set of functionalities of the data processing pipeline;
• programming the data processing pipeline using the new image;
• and
• processing the incoming network data received with the data processing pipeline and using the modified current set of functionalities.

A non-transitory machine-readable medium having executable instructions to cause one or more processing units to perform a method to process data by a network element with a data processing pipeline, the method comprising:

• preparing a new image for a standby data processing pipeline of the network element, wherein the data processing pipeline includes an active data processing pipeline and the standby data processing pipeline, the active data processing pipeline processes incoming network data currently being received by the network element, and the new image programs a new set of functionalities of the standby data processing pipeline;
• writing the new image into a standby memory of the data processing pipeline, wherein the network element includes an active memory that programs the current set of functionalities of the active data processing pipeline;
• programming the standby data processing pipeline using the new image;
• and
• processing the incoming network data received with the standby data processing pipeline using the new set of functionalities.

A method to process data by a network element with a data processing pipeline, the method comprising:

• preparing a new image for a standby data processing pipeline of the network element, wherein the data processing pipeline includes an active data processing pipeline and the standby data processing pipeline, the active data processing pipeline processes incoming network data currently being received by the network element and the new image programs a new set of functionalities of the standby data processing pipeline;
• writing the new image into a standby memory of the data processing pipeline, wherein the network element includes an active memory that programs the current set of functionalities of the active data processing pipeline;
• programming the standby data processing pipeline using the new image;
• and
• processing the incoming network data received with the standby data processing pipeline using the new set of functionalities.