Method, apparatus, and system for supporting flexible lookup keys in software-defined networks

A device to implement a forwarding element to operate in a software-defined network and support flexible lookup table keys, the device comprising:

• one or more line cards, wherein each of the one or more line cards comprises circuitry adapted to:
• receive a packet to be forwarded;
• generate a table key for a first lookup table based upon a superkey mask value, a superkey offset value, and a superkey, wherein the superkey comprises a plurality of header field values of the packet, and wherein the superkey mask value and the superkey offset value are associated with the first lookup table;
• perform a lookup in the first lookup table using the table key, wherein the lookup identifies an entry of the first lookup table indicating a next hop for the packet;
• and
• transmit the packet to the next hop.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to implement a forwarding element to act in a software-defined network and support flexible lookup table keys by performing operations comprising:

• receiving a packet to be forwarded;
• generating a table key for a first lookup table based upon a superkey mask value, a superkey offset value, and a superkey, wherein the superkey comprises a plurality of header field values of the packet, and wherein the superkey mask value and the superkey offset value are associated with the first lookup table;
• performing a lookup in the first lookup table using the table key, wherein the lookup identifies an entry of the first lookup table indicating a next hop for the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet to the next hop.