System and Method for Adapting a Packet Processing Pipeline

A method for forwarding packets, comprising:

• implementing a packet processing pipeline having a plurality of packet processing units for processing packets that are compliant with a recognized communication protocol;
• implementing in the packet processing pipeline an adapted processing unit configured to process packets that are compliant with an unrecognized communication protocol;
• receiving, at a port coupled to the packet processing pipeline, a packet that is compliant with the unrecognized communication protocol, wherein the packet includes an unrecognized header;
• extracting from the unrecognized header first destination information that is compliant with the unrecognized communication protocol;
• generating, based on the extracted first destination information, second destination information that is consistent with a protocol supported by at least one of the processing units for determining an egress interface to which the packet is to be forwarded;
• determining the egress interface for the packet using at least one of the processing units;
• and
• forwarding the packet to a particular physical egress port associated with the determined egress interface.