Network forwarding element with key-value processing in the data plane

Switch circuitry for use in association with network forwarding operations, the switch circuitry comprising:

• processing circuitry to modify, based upon received packet data, at least one data value to be identified, at least in part, based upon at least one key-value-pair;
• wherein:
• the at least one key-value-pair is to be maintained by the switch circuitry;
• the received packet data is to be comprised in multiple received packets;
• and
• the multiple received packets comprise respective identifications of the at least one key-value-pair.

A method implemented using switch circuitry, the switch circuitry to be used in association with network forwarding operations, the method comprising:

• modifying, by processing circuitry of the switch circuitry, based upon received packet data, at least one data value to be identified, at least in part, based upon at least one key-value-pair;
• wherein:
• the at least one key-value-pair is to be maintained by the switch circuitry;
• the received packet data is to be comprised in multiple received packets;
• and
• the multiple received packets comprise respective identifications of the at least one key-value-pair.

At least one non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions to be executed by switch circuitry, the instructions, when executed by the switch circuitry, resulting in the switch circuitry being configured for performance of operations comprising:

• modifying, by processing circuitry of the switch circuitry, based upon received packet data, at least one data value to be identified, at least in part, based upon at least one key-value-pair;
• wherein:
• the at least one key-value-pair is to be maintained by the switch circuitry;
• the received packet data is to be comprised in multiple received packets;
• and
• the multiple received packets comprise respective identifications of the at least one key-value-pair.