Accelerating data message classification with smart nics

A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing a program for execution by at least one processing unit of a smart network interface controller (NIC) of a computer that executes a software forwarding element (SFE), the program for performing data message processing, the program comprising sets of instructions for:

• determining whether a received data message matches an entry in a data message classification cache stored on the smart NIC based on data message classification results of the SFE;
• when the data message matches an entry, determining whether the matched entry is valid by comparing a timestamp of the entry to a set of rules stored on the smart NIC, said determining whether the matched entry is valid comprising (i) identifying whether the set of rules includes a rule related to the matched entry, and (ii) when the set of rules includes a rule related to the matched entry, determining whether a timestamp for the rule is more recent than a timestamp for the matched entry;
• and
• when the matched entry is valid, processing the data message according to the matched entry without providing the data message to the SFE executing on the computer.