A method for dynamically building a packet processing chain includes providing a plurality of packet processing elements. For each element of a first subset of elements operations indications are provided. For each element of a second subset of elements, expectations indications are provided. Finally, the chain is built by combining elements to form the chain according to a configuration requirement. Elements are selected such that an element's indicated expectations are satisfied by the time it executes, as indicated by the operations indications of the previous chain element.
