Techniques for processing network flows

One or more computer readable non-transitory media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause:

• responsive to a first packet received by a network device for a network flow, performing processing for the network flow by a first processing unit from a first plurality of processing units, the processing including:
• (i) processing the first packet for the network flow, and (ii) programming a second processing plane to handle processing of subsequent packets received by the network device for the network flow;
• and
• subsequent to the processing for the network flow performed by the first processing unit, for an action to be performed for the network flow by the first processing plane, causing the action to be performed by the first processing unit by:
• (i) determining, by the second processing plane, that the action is to be performed for the network flow, (ii) sending, by the second processing plane and to the first processing plane, a signal including information about the network flow and the action;
• (iii) identifying, at the first processing plane and based upon the signal received from the second processing plane, the first processing unit of the first processing plane for performing the action for the network flow;
• and (iv) performing, by the first processing unit, the action for the network flow.

A network device comprising:

• a first processing plane comprising a first plurality of processing units, the first plurality of processing units including a first processing unit;
• and
• a second processing plane comprising a second plurality of processing units, wherein the processing units in the second plurality of processing units are different from the processing units in the first plurality of processing units;
• wherein the first processing plane is configured to perform processing comprising:
• responsive to a first packet received by the network device for a network flow, performing processing for the network flow by a first processing unit from the first plurality of processing units, the processing including:
• (i) processing the first packet for the network flow, and (ii) programming the second processing plane to handle processing of subsequent packets received by the network device for the network flow;
• and
• subsequent to the processing for the network flow performed by the first processing unit, for an action to be performed for the network flow by the first processing plane, causing the action to be performed by the first processing unit by:
• (i) determining, by the second processing plane, that the action is to be performed for the network flow, (ii) sending, by the second processing plane and to the first processing plane, a signal including information about the network flow and the action;
• (iii) identifying, at the first processing plane and based upon the signal received from the second processing plane, the first processing unit of the first processing plane for performing the action for the network flow;
• and (iv) performing, by the first processing unit, the action for the network flow.