Template-based packet parsing

A parsing apparatus includes a packet-type identification circuit and a parser. The packet-type identification circuit is to receive a packet to be parsed, and to identify a packet type of the packet by extracting a packet-type identifier from a defined field in the packet. The parser is to store one or more parsing templates that specify parsing of one or more respective packet types. When the packet type of the packet corresponds to a parsing template among the stored parsing templates, the parser is to parse the packet in accordance with the stored parsing template. When the packet type of the packet does not correspond to any of the stored parsing templates, the parser is to parse the packet using an alternative parsing scheme.