Packet sequence batch processing

A network interface device, comprising:

• an ingress interface;
• a host platform interface;
• processing logic between the ingress interface and egress interface to:
• receive a batch comprising a first plurality of packets;
• identify a common attribute of the batch;
• perform batch processing on the batch according to the common attribute;
• generate a hint for the batch, the hint comprising information about the batch to facilitate processing of the batch;
• and
• forward the batch to a host platform network interface with the hint.

A method of providing batch processing of incoming packets on a network interface, comprising:

• receiving a batch comprising a first plurality of packets on an ingress interface;
• identifying a common attribute of the batch;
• performing batch processing on the batch according to the common attribute;
• generating a hint for the batch, the hint comprising information about the batch to facilitate processing of the batch;
• and
• forwarding the batch to a host platform network interface with the hint.