Systems and methods for implementing multi-table openflow flows that have combinations of packet edits

A method comprising:

• receiving, at a network device, a first flow entry to be installed into a first flow table, wherein the first flow entry includes a first set of match fields and a first set of actions;
• determining that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet;
• in response to determining that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet:
• changing the first set of actions of the first flow entry to:
• modify a first field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• generate a cookie;
• attach the cookie to the data packet;
• and
• transmit the data packet for subsequent flow entry lookup;
• and
• creating a second flow entry, the second flow entry including a second set of match fields and a second set of actions, the second set of match fields specifying one or more criteria for matching the data packet to the second flow entry, wherein one of the one or more criteria matches on the generated cookie of the data packet, the second set of actions specifying a plurality of actions to be taken on the data packet, wherein the second set of actions includes:
• removing the cookie from the data packet;
• and
• modifying a second field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• and
• installing the first and second flow entries.

An apparatus comprising:

• control circuitry;
• and
• at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the control circuitry, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
• receive, at a network device, a first flow entry to be installed into a first flow table, wherein the first flow entry includes a first set of match fields and a first set of actions;
• determine that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet;
• in response to determining that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet:
• changing the first set of actions of the first flow entry to:
• modify a first field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• generate a cookie;
• attach the cookie to the data packet;
• and
• transmit the data packet for subsequent flow entry lookup;
• and
• creating a second flow entry, the second flow entry including a second set of match fields and a second set of actions, the second set of match fields specifying one or more criteria for matching the data packet to the second flow entry, wherein one of the one or more criteria matches on the generated cookie of the data packet, the second set of actions specifying a plurality of actions to be taken on the data packet, wherein the second set of actions includes:
• removing the cookie from the data packet;
• and
• modifying a second field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• and
• install the first and second flow entries.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon that when executed by control circuitry causes the control circuitry to:

• receive, at a network device, a first flow entry to be installed into a first flow table, wherein the first flow entry includes a first set of match fields and a first set of actions;
• determine that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet;
• in response to determining that the first set of actions includes modifications of a plurality of fields of a data packet:
• changing the first set of actions of the first flow entry to:
• modify a first field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• generate a cookie;
• attach the cookie to the data packet;
• and
• transmit the data packet for subsequent flow entry lookup;
• and
• creating a second flow entry, the second flow entry including a second set of match fields and a second set of actions, the second set of match fields specifying one or more criteria for matching the data packet to the second flow entry, wherein one of the one or more criteria matches on the generated cookie of the data packet, the second set of actions specifying a plurality of actions to be taken on the data packet, wherein the second set of actions includes:
• removing the cookie from the data packet;
• and
• modifying a second field of the plurality of fields of the data packet;
• and
• install the first and second flow entries.