Flow-based network switching system

An information handling system (IHS) network, comprising:

• a first IHS that is configured to generate and send a plurality of packets over a network;
• a second IHS coupled to the first IHS through the network, wherein the second IHS is configured to:
• assemble a first set of packets received from the first IHS;
• retrieve session layer metadata that includes a first session protocol from each of the first set of packets;
• determine that a first flow session is associated with each packet of the first set of packets using the first session protocol in the session layer metadata retrieved from that packet;
• and
• retrieve and apply at least one flow-based rule for each packet of the first set of packets using the first session protocol in the session layer metadata retrieved from that packet.

A method for network switching, comprising:

• assembling a first set of packets received from a first IHS over a network;
• retrieving session layer metadata that includes a first session protocol from each of the first set of packets;
• determining that a first flow session is associated with each packet of the first set of packets using the first session protocol in the session layer metadata retrieved from that packet;
• retrieving and applying at least one flow-based rule for each packet of the first set of packets using the first session protocol in the session layer metadata retrieved from that packet;
• and
• forwarding each packet of the first set of packets.