Expansion of packet data within processing pipeline

One or more non-transient computer readable media storing instructions for being executed by an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being for use in network packet forwarding, the instructions when executed by the integrated circuit resulting in the integrated circuit being configured to perform operations comprising:

• receiving, by configurable packet processing circuitry of the integrated circuit, at least one packet, the at least one packet comprising header fields, the configurable packet processing circuitry being configurable, when the integrated circuit is in operation, to comprise a plurality of packet processing stages, the plurality of packet processing stages comprising at least one parser stage and match-action stages;
• identifying, by the at least one parser stage, the header fields;
• storing, by the at least one parser stage, in data containers, header field data of the header fields, the data containers belonging to a plurality of data container types, the plurality of data container types comprising at least one data container type and at least one other data container type, the at least one data container type and the at least one other data container type having two different sizes and being configurable based upon parameters specified in compiled program instructions to be received by the integrated circuit;
• and
• modifying, by the match-action stages, at least certain of the header field data;
• wherein:
• the plurality of data container types comprises another data container type whose stored data is unavailable for modification by the match-action stages;
• and
• at least a portion of the header field data is to be stored in the another data container type.

A method implemented using an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit being for use in network packet forwarding, the method comprising:

• receiving, by configurable packet processing circuitry of the integrated circuit, at least one packet, the at least one packet comprising header fields, the configurable packet processing circuitry being configurable, when the integrated circuit is in operation, to comprise a plurality of packet processing stages, the plurality of packet processing stages comprising at least one parser stage and match-action stages;
• identifying, by the at least one parser stage, the header fields;
• storing, by the at least one parser stage, in data containers, header field data of the header fields, the data containers belonging to a plurality of data container types, the plurality of data container types comprising at least one data container type and at least one other data container type, the at least one data container type and the at least one other data container type having two different sizes and being configurable based upon parameters specified in compiled program instructions to be received by the integrated circuit;
• and
• modifying, by the match-action stages, at least certain of the header field data;
• wherein:
• the plurality of data container types comprises another data container type whose stored data is unavailable for modification by the match-action stages;
• and
• at least a portion of the header field data is to be stored in the another data container type.

A network switch for use in network packet forwarding, the network switch comprising:

• ports for being coupled to at least one network;
• an integrated circuit coupled to the ports, the integrated circuit comprising:
• configurable packet processing circuitry to receive, via one or more of the ports, at least one packet, the at least one packet comprising header fields, the configurable packet processing circuitry being configurable, when the integrated circuit is in operation, to comprise a plurality of packet processing stages, the plurality of packet processing stages comprising:
• at least one parser stage to identify the header fields, the at least one parser stage also to store, in data containers, header field data of the header fields, the data containers belonging to a plurality of data container types, the plurality of data container types comprising at least one data container type and at least one other data container type, the at least one data container type and the at least one other data container type having two different sizes and being configurable based upon parameters specified in compiled program instructions to be received by the integrated circuit;
• and
• match-action stages to modify at least certain of the header field data;
• wherein:
• the plurality of data container types comprises another data container type whose stored data is unavailable for modification by the match-action stages;
• and
• at least a portion of the header field data is to be stored in the another data container type.