Dynamic forwarding features in network elements

A network element dynamically adjusts the forwarding plane based on a received packet. The network element receives a packet that is formatted according to a packet type. The network element determines whether the network element is configured to process the packet type. Responsive to a determination that that network element is not configured to process the packet type, the network element sends packet information to a network controller. The network element receives at least one packet handling module that includes instructions for processing the packet type of the received packet. Installing the at least one packet handling module on the network element configures the network element to process the packet type. The network element processes the packet according to the instructions in the at least one packet handling module.