Synchronizing service instructions among forwarding agents using a service manager

A forwarding agent comprising:

• a packet receiving interface configured to receive a packet having a packet flow identifier that includes a packet source IP address, a packet destination IP address, a packet source port, and a packet destination port;
• a processor configured to check whether the packet flow identifier matches a stored instruction and if the packet flow identifier does not match a stored instruction, checking whether the packet flow identifier matches a stored criteria;
• and
• a packet forwarding interface for forwarding the packet to a service manager if the packet matches a stored criteria.

A network service manager comprising:

• a set up interface for specifying a set of packets for which the service manager will provide a network service;
• a forwarding agent communication interface on which packet interest instructions can be multicast to a plurality of forwarding agents for the purpose of instructing the plurality of forwarding agents to send certain packets in the set of packets to the service manager;
• a packet receiving interface on which the service manager can receive packets sent from a reporting forwarding agent in response to the multicast packet interest instructions;
• a processor for processing the packet received on the packet receiving interface and for determining an action for the reporting forwarding agent to take regarding the packet.

A computer program product for obtaining instructions for routing a packet, the computer program product being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer instructions for:

• receiving a packet having a packet flow identifier that includes a packet source IP address, a packet destination IP address, a packet source port, and a packet destination port;
• checking whether the packet flow identifier matches a stored instruction;
• if the packet flow identifier does not match a stored instruction, checking whether the packet flow identifier matches a stored criteria;
• and
• if the packet matches a stored criteria, forwarding the packet to a service manager.