System and method for managing out of order packets in a network environment

One or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor causes performance of operations comprising:

• creating at a network element an entry designating an out of order (“OOO”) sequence number range associated with a flow;
• receiving at the network element a packet associated with the flow, wherein the packet corresponds to a first sequence number range, wherein the first sequence number range falls within the OOO sequence number range designated in the entry;
• updating the entry to remove sequence numbers comprising the first sequence number range from the OOO sequence number range;
• and
• forwarding the packet without awaiting receipt of any other packets associated with the flow.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory element configured to store data,
• a processor to execute instructions associated with the data, and
• a tracking module configured to:
• create an entry designating an out of order (“OOO”) sequence number range associated with a flow;
• receive a packet associated with the flow, wherein the packet corresponds to a first sequence number range, wherein the first sequence number range falls within the OOO sequence number range designated in the entry;
• update the entry to remove sequence numbers comprising the first sequence number range from the OOO sequence number range;
• and
• forward the packet without awaiting receipt of any other packets associated with the flow.