Data packet processing in sdn

An apparatus for processing a data packet in a software defined network (SDN) protocol-based network, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• a memory, coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing processor-executable program instructions,
• wherein the at least one processor, when executing the program instructions, is configured to:
• receive a data packet forwarded by a SDN switch in the network;
• obtain one or more rules corresponding to a data flow where the data packet is located, the one or more rules being stored in a flow table of the SDN switch;
• receive statistical information of the network;
• determine, according to the received data packet, data flow characteristics of the data flow where the data packet is located;
• set timeout information of the one or more rules based on the data flow characteristics and the received statistical information of the network, the timeout information indicating a time that the one or more rules will be kept in the flow table of the SDN switch;
• and
• send the one or more rules and the timeout information of the one or more rules to the SDN switch for processing the data packet by the SDN switch according to the one or more rules.