Messaging between remote controller and forwarding element

At least one non-transitory machine-readable memory storing program instructions to be executed by an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being for use in network forwarding operations, the integrated circuit also being for use with a remote controller and at least one network, the network forwarding operations being associated with forwarding received frame data toward at least one destination via the at least one network, the received frame data comprising header data, the program instructions, when executed by the integrated circuit, resulting in the integrated circuit being configured to perform operations comprising:

• processing, by packet processing pipeline circuitry of the integrated circuit, the received frame data, the packet processing pipeline circuitry being configurable, based upon other instructions to be received by the integrated circuit, to comprise:
• parser circuitry to obtain, at least in part, the header data;
• at least one stage to generate, at least in part, at least one output frame that is to be forwarded toward the at least one destination via the at least one network;
• and
• at least one match-action unit to modify the header data, based upon comparison of at least one portion of the header data with table data, for use in generating the at least one output frame;
• and
• the integrated circuit comprising frame data processing circuitry for use in queuing-related, scheduling-related, quality of service-related, and/or replication-related operations associated with the processing of the received frame data;
• wherein:
• the integrated circuit is programmable based upon Ethernet frame data to be received by the integrated circuit from the remote controller via the at least one network;
• the Ethernet frame data comprises header field information associated with the remote controller, at least in part;
• in response the Ethernet frame data, the integrated circuit is to generate, other Ethernet frame data for transmission to the remote controller via the packet processing pipeline circuitry;
• and
• the other instructions are to be:
• generated local to the integrated circuit;
• and
• provided to the integrated circuit via an interface of the integrated circuit.

A method implemented using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being for use in network forwarding operations, the integrated circuit also being for use with a remote controller and at least one network, the network forwarding operations being associated with forwarding received frame data toward at least one destination via the at least one network, the received frame data comprising header data, the method comprising:

• processing, by packet processing pipeline circuitry of the integrated circuit, the received frame data, the packet processing pipeline circuitry being configurable, based upon instructions to be received by the integrated circuit, to comprise:
• parser circuitry to obtain, at least in part, the header data;
• at least one stage to generate, at least in part, at least one output frame that is to be forwarded toward the at least one destination via the at least one network;
• and
• at least one match-action unit to modify the header data, based upon comparison of at least one portion of the header data with table data, for use in generating the at least one output frame;
• and
• the integrated circuit comprising frame data processing circuitry for use in queuing-related, scheduling-related, quality of service-related, and/or replication-related operations associated with the processing of the received frame data;
• wherein:
• the integrated circuit is programmable based upon Ethernet frame data to be received by the integrated circuit from the remote controller via the at least one network;
• the Ethernet frame data comprises header field information associated with the remote controller, at least in part;
• in response the Ethernet frame data, the integrated circuit is to generate, other Ethernet frame data for transmission to the remote controller via the packet processing pipeline circuitry;
• and
• the instructions are to be:
• generated local to the integrated circuit;
• and
• provided to the integrated circuit via an interface of the integrated circuit.

A network switch system for use in network forwarding operations, the integrated circuit including a processor and memory, the network switch system also being for use with a remote controller and at least one network, the network forwarding operations being associated with forwarding received frame data toward at least one destination via the at least one network, the received frame data comprising header data, the network switch system comprising:

• physical ports to be coupled to the at least one network, the physical ports to be used in frame data reception and transmission via the at least one network;
• and
• an integrated circuit comprising:
• packet processing pipeline circuitry configurable, based upon programming instructions to be received by the integrated circuit, to comprise:
• parser circuitry to obtain, at least in part, the header data:
• at least one stage to generate, at least in part, at least one output frame that is to be forwarded toward the at least one destination via the at least one network, and
• at least one match-action unit to modify the header data, based upon comparison of at least one portion of the header data with table data, for use in generating the at least one output frame;
• and
• frame data processing circuitry for use in queuing-related, scheduling-related, quality of service-related, and/or replication-related operations associated with processing of the received frame data:
• wherein:
• the integrated circuit is programmable based upon Ethernet frame data to be received by the integrated circuit from the remote controller via the at least one network;
• the Ethernet frame data comprises header field information associated with the remote controller, at least in part;
• in response the Ethernet frame data, the integrated circuit is to generate, other Ethernet frame data for transmission to the remote controller via the packet processing pipeline circuitry;
• and
• the programming instructions are to be:
• generated local to the integrated circuit;
• and
• provided to the integrated circuit via an interface of the integrated circuit.