26. The network node of claim 23 , wherein the processor updates the plurality of counters in response to one of an addition of a new rule to the table and a removal of a rule from the table.
26. The network node of claim 23 , wherein the processor updates the plurality of counters in response to one of an addition of a new rule to the table and a removal of a rule from the table. 28. The network node of claim 26 , wherein the processor updates the plurality of counters in response to a removal of the rule by decrementing each of the plurality of counters associated with the match fields that require extraction based on the removed rule.