net/mlx5: fix empty flow error structure
[dpdk.git] / drivers / net / mlx5 / mlx5_flow.c
index f2d3730..e9ae2f7 100644 (file)
@@ -658,13 +658,12 @@ mlx5_flow_item_acceptable(const struct rte_flow_item *item,
  *   The hash fields that should be used.
  */
 uint64_t
-mlx5_flow_hashfields_adjust(struct mlx5_flow *dev_flow,
+mlx5_flow_hashfields_adjust(struct mlx5_flow_rss_desc *rss_desc,
                            int tunnel __rte_unused, uint64_t layer_types,
                            uint64_t hash_fields)
 {
-       struct rte_flow *flow = dev_flow->flow;
 #ifdef HAVE_IBV_DEVICE_TUNNEL_SUPPORT
-       int rss_request_inner = flow->rss.level >= 2;
+       int rss_request_inner = rss_desc->level >= 2;
 
        /* Check RSS hash level for tunnel. */
        if (tunnel && rss_request_inner)
@@ -673,7 +672,7 @@ mlx5_flow_hashfields_adjust(struct mlx5_flow *dev_flow,
                return 0;
 #endif
        /* Check if requested layer matches RSS hash fields. */
-       if (!(flow->rss.types & layer_types))
+       if (!(rss_desc->types & layer_types))
                return 0;
        return hash_fields;
 }
@@ -712,23 +711,27 @@ flow_rxq_tunnel_ptype_update(struct mlx5_rxq_ctrl *rxq_ctrl)
  *
  * @param[in] dev
  *   Pointer to the Ethernet device structure.
- * @param[in] flow
- *   Pointer to flow structure.
  * @param[in] dev_handle
  *   Pointer to device flow handle structure.
  */
 static void
-flow_drv_rxq_flags_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow,
+flow_drv_rxq_flags_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                       struct mlx5_flow_handle *dev_handle)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
-       const int mark = !!(dev_handle->act_flags &
-                           (MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_FLAG | MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_MARK));
+       const int mark = dev_handle->mark;
        const int tunnel = !!(dev_handle->layers & MLX5_FLOW_LAYER_TUNNEL);
+       struct mlx5_hrxq *hrxq;
        unsigned int i;
 
-       for (i = 0; i != flow->rss.queue_num; ++i) {
-               int idx = (*flow->rss.queue)[i];
+       if (dev_handle->fate_action != MLX5_FLOW_FATE_QUEUE)
+               return;
+       hrxq = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_HRXQ],
+                             dev_handle->rix_hrxq);
+       if (!hrxq)
+               return;
+       for (i = 0; i != hrxq->ind_table->queues_n; ++i) {
+               int idx = hrxq->ind_table->queues[i];
                struct mlx5_rxq_ctrl *rxq_ctrl =
                        container_of((*priv->rxqs)[idx],
                                     struct mlx5_rxq_ctrl, rxq);
@@ -775,10 +778,13 @@ flow_drv_rxq_flags_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow,
 static void
 flow_rxq_flags_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       uint32_t handle_idx;
        struct mlx5_flow_handle *dev_handle;
 
-       LIST_FOREACH(dev_handle, &flow->dev_handles, next)
-               flow_drv_rxq_flags_set(dev, flow, dev_handle);
+       SILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MLX5_FLOW], flow->dev_handles,
+                      handle_idx, dev_handle, next)
+               flow_drv_rxq_flags_set(dev, dev_handle);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -787,24 +793,28 @@ flow_rxq_flags_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow)
  *
  * @param dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device.
- * @param[in] flow
- *   Pointer to flow structure.
  * @param[in] dev_handle
  *   Pointer to the device flow handle structure.
  */
 static void
-flow_drv_rxq_flags_trim(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow,
+flow_drv_rxq_flags_trim(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                        struct mlx5_flow_handle *dev_handle)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
-       const int mark = !!(dev_handle->act_flags &
-                           (MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_FLAG | MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_MARK));
+       const int mark = dev_handle->mark;
        const int tunnel = !!(dev_handle->layers & MLX5_FLOW_LAYER_TUNNEL);
+       struct mlx5_hrxq *hrxq;
        unsigned int i;
 
+       if (dev_handle->fate_action != MLX5_FLOW_FATE_QUEUE)
+               return;
+       hrxq = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_HRXQ],
+                             dev_handle->rix_hrxq);
+       if (!hrxq)
+               return;
        MLX5_ASSERT(dev->data->dev_started);
-       for (i = 0; i != flow->rss.queue_num; ++i) {
-               int idx = (*flow->rss.queue)[i];
+       for (i = 0; i != hrxq->ind_table->queues_n; ++i) {
+               int idx = hrxq->ind_table->queues[i];
                struct mlx5_rxq_ctrl *rxq_ctrl =
                        container_of((*priv->rxqs)[idx],
                                     struct mlx5_rxq_ctrl, rxq);
@@ -847,10 +857,13 @@ flow_drv_rxq_flags_trim(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow,
 static void
 flow_rxq_flags_trim(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       uint32_t handle_idx;
        struct mlx5_flow_handle *dev_handle;
 
-       LIST_FOREACH(dev_handle, &flow->dev_handles, next)
-               flow_drv_rxq_flags_trim(dev, flow, dev_handle);
+       SILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MLX5_FLOW], flow->dev_handles,
+                      handle_idx, dev_handle, next)
+               flow_drv_rxq_flags_trim(dev, dev_handle);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -881,6 +894,35 @@ flow_rxq_flags_clear(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
        }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Set the Rx queue dynamic metadata (mask and offset) for a flow
+ *
+ * @param[in] dev
+ *   Pointer to the Ethernet device structure.
+ */
+void
+mlx5_flow_rxq_dynf_metadata_set(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
+{
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       struct mlx5_rxq_data *data;
+       unsigned int i;
+
+       for (i = 0; i != priv->rxqs_n; ++i) {
+               if (!(*priv->rxqs)[i])
+                       continue;
+               data = (*priv->rxqs)[i];
+               if (!rte_flow_dynf_metadata_avail()) {
+                       data->dynf_meta = 0;
+                       data->flow_meta_mask = 0;
+                       data->flow_meta_offset = -1;
+               } else {
+                       data->dynf_meta = 1;
+                       data->flow_meta_mask = rte_flow_dynf_metadata_mask;
+                       data->flow_meta_offset = rte_flow_dynf_metadata_offs;
+               }
+       }
+}
+
 /*
  * return a pointer to the desired action in the list of actions.
  *
@@ -2313,11 +2355,14 @@ static void
 flow_mreg_split_qrss_release(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                             struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       uint32_t handle_idx;
        struct mlx5_flow_handle *dev_handle;
 
-       LIST_FOREACH(dev_handle, &flow->dev_handles, next)
-               if (dev_handle->qrss_id)
-                       flow_qrss_free_id(dev, dev_handle->qrss_id);
+       SILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MLX5_FLOW], flow->dev_handles,
+                      handle_idx, dev_handle, next)
+               if (dev_handle->split_flow_id)
+                       flow_qrss_free_id(dev, dev_handle->split_flow_id);
 }
 
 static int
@@ -2326,6 +2371,7 @@ flow_null_validate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev __rte_unused,
                   const struct rte_flow_item items[] __rte_unused,
                   const struct rte_flow_action actions[] __rte_unused,
                   bool external __rte_unused,
+                  int hairpin __rte_unused,
                   struct rte_flow_error *error)
 {
        return rte_flow_error_set(error, ENOTSUP,
@@ -2441,6 +2487,8 @@ flow_get_drv_type(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, const struct rte_flow_attr *attr)
  *   Pointer to the list of actions.
  * @param[in] external
  *   This flow rule is created by request external to PMD.
+ * @param[in] hairpin
+ *   Number of hairpin TX actions, 0 means classic flow.
  * @param[out] error
  *   Pointer to the error structure.
  *
@@ -2452,13 +2500,14 @@ flow_drv_validate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                  const struct rte_flow_attr *attr,
                  const struct rte_flow_item items[],
                  const struct rte_flow_action actions[],
-                 bool external, struct rte_flow_error *error)
+                 bool external, int hairpin, struct rte_flow_error *error)
 {
        const struct mlx5_flow_driver_ops *fops;
        enum mlx5_flow_drv_type type = flow_get_drv_type(dev, attr);
 
        fops = flow_get_drv_ops(type);
-       return fops->validate(dev, attr, items, actions, external, error);
+       return fops->validate(dev, attr, items, actions, external,
+                             hairpin, error);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -2619,27 +2668,6 @@ flow_drv_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct rte_flow *flow)
        fops->destroy(dev, flow);
 }
 
-/**
- * Validate a flow supported by the NIC.
- *
- * @see rte_flow_validate()
- * @see rte_flow_ops
- */
-int
-mlx5_flow_validate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
-                  const struct rte_flow_attr *attr,
-                  const struct rte_flow_item items[],
-                  const struct rte_flow_action actions[],
-                  struct rte_flow_error *error)
-{
-       int ret;
-
-       ret = flow_drv_validate(dev, attr, items, actions, true, error);
-       if (ret < 0)
-               return ret;
-       return 0;
-}
-
 /**
  * Get RSS action from the action list.
  *
@@ -2709,7 +2737,7 @@ flow_get_prefix_layer_flags(struct mlx5_flow *dev_flow)
         * help to do the optimization work for source code.
         * If no decap actions, use the layers directly.
         */
-       if (!(dev_flow->handle->act_flags & MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_DECAP))
+       if (!(dev_flow->act_flags & MLX5_FLOW_ACTION_DECAP))
                return dev_flow->handle->layers;
        /* Convert L3 layers with decap action. */
        if (dev_flow->handle->layers & MLX5_FLOW_LAYER_INNER_L3_IPV4)
@@ -2890,16 +2918,16 @@ flow_check_hairpin_split(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
 }
 
 /* Declare flow create/destroy prototype in advance. */
-static struct rte_flow *
-flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
+static uint32_t
+flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list,
                 const struct rte_flow_attr *attr,
                 const struct rte_flow_item items[],
                 const struct rte_flow_action actions[],
                 bool external, struct rte_flow_error *error);
 
 static void
-flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
-                 struct rte_flow *flow);
+flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list,
+                 uint32_t flow_idx);
 
 /**
  * Add a flow of copying flow metadata registers in RX_CP_TBL.
@@ -2955,6 +2983,7 @@ flow_mreg_add_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t mark_id,
                [3] = { .type = RTE_FLOW_ACTION_TYPE_END, },
        };
        struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res;
+       uint32_t idx = 0;
        int ret;
 
        /* Fill the register fileds in the flow. */
@@ -3023,20 +3052,21 @@ flow_mreg_add_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t mark_id,
                };
        }
        /* Build a new entry. */
-       mcp_res = rte_zmalloc(__func__, sizeof(*mcp_res), 0);
+       mcp_res = mlx5_ipool_zmalloc(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP], &idx);
        if (!mcp_res) {
                rte_errno = ENOMEM;
                return NULL;
        }
+       mcp_res->idx = idx;
        /*
         * The copy Flows are not included in any list. There
         * ones are referenced from other Flows and can not
         * be applied, removed, deleted in ardbitrary order
         * by list traversing.
         */
-       mcp_res->flow = flow_list_create(dev, NULL, &attr, items,
+       mcp_res->rix_flow = flow_list_create(dev, NULL, &attr, items,
                                         actions, false, error);
-       if (!mcp_res->flow)
+       if (!mcp_res->rix_flow)
                goto error;
        mcp_res->refcnt++;
        mcp_res->hlist_ent.key = mark_id;
@@ -3047,9 +3077,9 @@ flow_mreg_add_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t mark_id,
                goto error;
        return mcp_res;
 error:
-       if (mcp_res->flow)
-               flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->flow);
-       rte_free(mcp_res);
+       if (mcp_res->rix_flow)
+               flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->rix_flow);
+       mlx5_ipool_free(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP], mcp_res->idx);
        return NULL;
 }
 
@@ -3065,17 +3095,27 @@ static void
 flow_mreg_del_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                          struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
-       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res = flow->mreg_copy;
+       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res;
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
 
+       if (!flow->rix_mreg_copy)
+               return;
+       mcp_res = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP],
+                                flow->rix_mreg_copy);
        if (!mcp_res || !priv->mreg_cp_tbl)
                return;
        if (flow->copy_applied) {
                MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->appcnt);
                flow->copy_applied = 0;
                --mcp_res->appcnt;
-               if (!mcp_res->appcnt)
-                       flow_drv_remove(dev, mcp_res->flow);
+               if (!mcp_res->appcnt) {
+                       struct rte_flow *mcp_flow = mlx5_ipool_get
+                                       (priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW],
+                                       mcp_res->rix_flow);
+
+                       if (mcp_flow)
+                               flow_drv_remove(dev, mcp_flow);
+               }
        }
        /*
         * We do not check availability of metadata registers here,
@@ -3083,11 +3123,11 @@ flow_mreg_del_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
         */
        if (--mcp_res->refcnt)
                return;
-       MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->flow);
-       flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->flow);
+       MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->rix_flow);
+       flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->rix_flow);
        mlx5_hlist_remove(priv->mreg_cp_tbl, &mcp_res->hlist_ent);
-       rte_free(mcp_res);
-       flow->mreg_copy = NULL;
+       mlx5_ipool_free(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP], mcp_res->idx);
+       flow->rix_mreg_copy = 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -3105,15 +3145,26 @@ static int
 flow_mreg_start_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                            struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
-       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res = flow->mreg_copy;
+       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res;
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
        int ret;
 
-       if (!mcp_res || flow->copy_applied)
+       if (!flow->rix_mreg_copy || flow->copy_applied)
+               return 0;
+       mcp_res = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP],
+                                flow->rix_mreg_copy);
+       if (!mcp_res)
                return 0;
        if (!mcp_res->appcnt) {
-               ret = flow_drv_apply(dev, mcp_res->flow, NULL);
-               if (ret)
-                       return ret;
+               struct rte_flow *mcp_flow = mlx5_ipool_get
+                               (priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW],
+                               mcp_res->rix_flow);
+
+               if (mcp_flow) {
+                       ret = flow_drv_apply(dev, mcp_flow, NULL);
+                       if (ret)
+                               return ret;
+               }
        }
        ++mcp_res->appcnt;
        flow->copy_applied = 1;
@@ -3132,15 +3183,26 @@ static void
 flow_mreg_stop_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                           struct rte_flow *flow)
 {
-       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res = flow->mreg_copy;
+       struct mlx5_flow_mreg_copy_resource *mcp_res;
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
 
-       if (!mcp_res || !flow->copy_applied)
+       if (!flow->rix_mreg_copy || !flow->copy_applied)
+               return;
+       mcp_res = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP],
+                                flow->rix_mreg_copy);
+       if (!mcp_res)
                return;
        MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->appcnt);
        --mcp_res->appcnt;
        flow->copy_applied = 0;
-       if (!mcp_res->appcnt)
-               flow_drv_remove(dev, mcp_res->flow);
+       if (!mcp_res->appcnt) {
+               struct rte_flow *mcp_flow = mlx5_ipool_get
+                               (priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW],
+                               mcp_res->rix_flow);
+
+               if (mcp_flow)
+                       flow_drv_remove(dev, mcp_flow);
+       }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -3162,10 +3224,10 @@ flow_mreg_del_default_copy_action(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
                                            MLX5_DEFAULT_COPY_ID);
        if (!mcp_res)
                return;
-       MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->flow);
-       flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->flow);
+       MLX5_ASSERT(mcp_res->rix_flow);
+       flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, mcp_res->rix_flow);
        mlx5_hlist_remove(priv->mreg_cp_tbl, &mcp_res->hlist_ent);
-       rte_free(mcp_res);
+       mlx5_ipool_free(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_MCP], mcp_res->idx);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -3257,7 +3319,7 @@ flow_mreg_update_copy_table(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                                (dev, MLX5_FLOW_MARK_DEFAULT, error);
                        if (!mcp_res)
                                return -rte_errno;
-                       flow->mreg_copy = mcp_res;
+                       flow->rix_mreg_copy = mcp_res->idx;
                        if (dev->data->dev_started) {
                                mcp_res->appcnt++;
                                flow->copy_applied = 1;
@@ -3270,7 +3332,7 @@ flow_mreg_update_copy_table(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                                flow_mreg_add_copy_action(dev, mark->id, error);
                        if (!mcp_res)
                                return -rte_errno;
-                       flow->mreg_copy = mcp_res;
+                       flow->rix_mreg_copy = mcp_res->idx;
                        if (dev->data->dev_started) {
                                mcp_res->appcnt++;
                                flow->copy_applied = 1;
@@ -3459,7 +3521,8 @@ flow_create_split_inner(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
        dev_flow->flow = flow;
        dev_flow->external = external;
        /* Subflow object was created, we must include one in the list. */
-       LIST_INSERT_HEAD(&flow->dev_handles, dev_flow->handle, next);
+       SILIST_INSERT(&flow->dev_handles, dev_flow->handle_idx,
+                     dev_flow->handle, next);
        /*
         * If dev_flow is as one of the suffix flow, some actions in suffix
         * flow may need some user defined item layer flags.
@@ -3980,7 +4043,7 @@ flow_create_split_metadata(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                         * reallocation becomes possible (for example, for
                         * other flows in other threads).
                         */
-                       dev_flow->handle->qrss_id = qrss_id;
+                       dev_flow->handle->split_flow_id = qrss_id;
                        ret = mlx5_flow_get_reg_id(dev, MLX5_COPY_MARK, 0,
                                                   error);
                        if (ret < 0)
@@ -4093,7 +4156,7 @@ flow_create_split_meter(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                        ret = -rte_errno;
                        goto exit;
                }
-               dev_flow->handle->mtr_flow_id = mtr_tag_id;
+               dev_flow->handle->split_flow_id = mtr_tag_id;
                /* Setting the sfx group atrr. */
                sfx_attr.group = sfx_attr.transfer ?
                                (MLX5_FLOW_TABLE_LEVEL_SUFFIX - 1) :
@@ -4185,10 +4248,10 @@ flow_create_split_outer(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
  *   Perform verbose error reporting if not NULL.
  *
  * @return
- *   A flow on success, NULL otherwise and rte_errno is set.
+ *   A flow index on success, 0 otherwise and rte_errno is set.
  */
-static struct rte_flow *
-flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
+static uint32_t
+flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list,
                 const struct rte_flow_attr *attr,
                 const struct rte_flow_item items[],
                 const struct rte_flow_action actions[],
@@ -4215,36 +4278,32 @@ flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                uint8_t buffer[2048];
        } items_tx;
        struct rte_flow_expand_rss *buf = &expand_buffer.buf;
+       struct mlx5_flow_rss_desc *rss_desc = &((struct mlx5_flow_rss_desc *)
+                                             priv->rss_desc)[!!priv->flow_idx];
        const struct rte_flow_action *p_actions_rx = actions;
        uint32_t i;
-       uint32_t flow_size;
-       int hairpin_flow = 0;
+       uint32_t idx = 0;
+       int hairpin_flow;
        uint32_t hairpin_id = 0;
        struct rte_flow_attr attr_tx = { .priority = 0 };
-       int ret = flow_drv_validate(dev, attr, items, p_actions_rx, external,
-                                   error);
+       int ret;
 
-       if (ret < 0)
-               return NULL;
        hairpin_flow = flow_check_hairpin_split(dev, attr, actions);
+       ret = flow_drv_validate(dev, attr, items, p_actions_rx,
+                               external, hairpin_flow, error);
+       if (ret < 0)
+               return 0;
        if (hairpin_flow > 0) {
                if (hairpin_flow > MLX5_MAX_SPLIT_ACTIONS) {
                        rte_errno = EINVAL;
-                       return NULL;
+                       return 0;
                }
                flow_hairpin_split(dev, actions, actions_rx.actions,
                                   actions_hairpin_tx.actions, items_tx.items,
                                   &hairpin_id);
                p_actions_rx = actions_rx.actions;
        }
-       flow_size = sizeof(struct rte_flow);
-       rss = flow_get_rss_action(p_actions_rx);
-       if (rss)
-               flow_size += RTE_ALIGN_CEIL(rss->queue_num * sizeof(uint16_t),
-                                           sizeof(void *));
-       else
-               flow_size += RTE_ALIGN_CEIL(sizeof(uint16_t), sizeof(void *));
-       flow = rte_calloc(__func__, 1, flow_size, 0);
+       flow = mlx5_ipool_zmalloc(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], &idx);
        if (!flow) {
                rte_errno = ENOMEM;
                goto error_before_flow;
@@ -4254,17 +4313,18 @@ flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                flow->hairpin_flow_id = hairpin_id;
        MLX5_ASSERT(flow->drv_type > MLX5_FLOW_TYPE_MIN &&
                    flow->drv_type < MLX5_FLOW_TYPE_MAX);
-       flow->rss.queue = (void *)(flow + 1);
+       memset(rss_desc, 0, sizeof(*rss_desc));
+       rss = flow_get_rss_action(p_actions_rx);
        if (rss) {
                /*
                 * The following information is required by
                 * mlx5_flow_hashfields_adjust() in advance.
                 */
-               flow->rss.level = rss->level;
+               rss_desc->level = rss->level;
                /* RSS type 0 indicates default RSS type (ETH_RSS_IP). */
-               flow->rss.types = !rss->types ? ETH_RSS_IP : rss->types;
+               rss_desc->types = !rss->types ? ETH_RSS_IP : rss->types;
        }
-       LIST_INIT(&flow->dev_handles);
+       flow->dev_handles = 0;
        if (rss && rss->types) {
                unsigned int graph_root;
 
@@ -4279,8 +4339,15 @@ flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                buf->entries = 1;
                buf->entry[0].pattern = (void *)(uintptr_t)items;
        }
-       /* Reset device flow index to 0. */
-       priv->flow_idx = 0;
+       /*
+        * Record the start index when there is a nested call. All sub-flows
+        * need to be translated before another calling.
+        * No need to use ping-pong buffer to save memory here.
+        */
+       if (priv->flow_idx) {
+               MLX5_ASSERT(!priv->flow_nested_idx);
+               priv->flow_nested_idx = priv->flow_idx;
+       }
        for (i = 0; i < buf->entries; ++i) {
                /*
                 * The splitter may create multiple dev_flows,
@@ -4305,7 +4372,8 @@ flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                        goto error;
                dev_flow->flow = flow;
                dev_flow->external = 0;
-               LIST_INSERT_HEAD(&flow->dev_handles, dev_flow->handle, next);
+               SILIST_INSERT(&flow->dev_handles, dev_flow->handle_idx,
+                             dev_flow->handle, next);
                ret = flow_drv_translate(dev, dev_flow, &attr_tx,
                                         items_tx.items,
                                         actions_hairpin_tx.actions, error);
@@ -4328,32 +4396,41 @@ flow_list_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                if (ret)
                        goto error;
        }
-       if (dev->data->dev_started) {
+       /*
+        * If the flow is external (from application) OR device is started, then
+        * the flow will be applied immediately.
+        */
+       if (external || dev->data->dev_started) {
                ret = flow_drv_apply(dev, flow, error);
                if (ret < 0)
                        goto error;
        }
        if (list)
-               TAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(list, flow, next);
+               ILIST_INSERT(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], list, idx,
+                            flow, next);
        flow_rxq_flags_set(dev, flow);
-       return flow;
-error_before_flow:
-       if (hairpin_id)
-               mlx5_flow_id_release(priv->sh->flow_id_pool,
-                                    hairpin_id);
-       return NULL;
+       /* Nested flow creation index recovery. */
+       priv->flow_idx = priv->flow_nested_idx;
+       if (priv->flow_nested_idx)
+               priv->flow_nested_idx = 0;
+       return idx;
 error:
        MLX5_ASSERT(flow);
-       flow_mreg_del_copy_action(dev, flow);
        ret = rte_errno; /* Save rte_errno before cleanup. */
-       if (flow->hairpin_flow_id)
-               mlx5_flow_id_release(priv->sh->flow_id_pool,
-                                    flow->hairpin_flow_id);
-       MLX5_ASSERT(flow);
+       flow_mreg_del_copy_action(dev, flow);
        flow_drv_destroy(dev, flow);
-       rte_free(flow);
+       mlx5_ipool_free(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], idx);
        rte_errno = ret; /* Restore rte_errno. */
-       return NULL;
+error_before_flow:
+       ret = rte_errno;
+       if (hairpin_id)
+               mlx5_flow_id_release(priv->sh->flow_id_pool,
+                                    hairpin_id);
+       rte_errno = ret;
+       priv->flow_idx = priv->flow_nested_idx;
+       if (priv->flow_nested_idx)
+               priv->flow_nested_idx = 0;
+       return 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4401,8 +4478,29 @@ mlx5_flow_create_esw_table_zero_flow(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
        struct rte_flow_error error;
 
-       return flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows, &attr, &pattern,
-                               actions, false, &error);
+       return (void *)(uintptr_t)flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows,
+                                                  &attr, &pattern,
+                                                  actions, false, &error);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validate a flow supported by the NIC.
+ *
+ * @see rte_flow_validate()
+ * @see rte_flow_ops
+ */
+int
+mlx5_flow_validate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
+                  const struct rte_flow_attr *attr,
+                  const struct rte_flow_item items[],
+                  const struct rte_flow_action actions[],
+                  struct rte_flow_error *error)
+{
+       int hairpin_flow;
+
+       hairpin_flow = flow_check_hairpin_split(dev, attr, actions);
+       return flow_drv_validate(dev, attr, items, actions,
+                               true, hairpin_flow, error);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4420,8 +4518,22 @@ mlx5_flow_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
 
-       return flow_list_create(dev, &priv->flows,
-                               attr, items, actions, true, error);
+       /*
+        * If the device is not started yet, it is not allowed to created a
+        * flow from application. PMD default flows and traffic control flows
+        * are not affected.
+        */
+       if (unlikely(!dev->data->dev_started)) {
+               DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u is not started when "
+                       "inserting a flow", dev->data->port_id);
+               rte_flow_error_set(error, ENODEV,
+                                  RTE_FLOW_ERROR_TYPE_UNSPECIFIED,
+                                  NULL,
+                                  "port not started");
+               return NULL;
+       }
+       return (void *)(uintptr_t)flow_list_create(dev, &priv->flows,
+                                 attr, items, actions, true, error);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4430,17 +4542,24 @@ mlx5_flow_create(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
  * @param dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device.
  * @param list
- *   Pointer to a TAILQ flow list. If this parameter NULL,
- *   there is no flow removal from the list.
- * @param[in] flow
- *   Flow to destroy.
+ *   Pointer to the Indexed flow list. If this parameter NULL,
+ *   there is no flow removal from the list. Be noted that as
+ *   flow is add to the indexed list, memory of the indexed
+ *   list points to maybe changed as flow destroyed.
+ * @param[in] flow_idx
+ *   Index of flow to destroy.
  */
 static void
-flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
-                 struct rte_flow *flow)
+flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list,
+                 uint32_t flow_idx)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       struct mlx5_fdir_flow *priv_fdir_flow = NULL;
+       struct rte_flow *flow = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool
+                                              [MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], flow_idx);
 
+       if (!flow)
+               return;
        /*
         * Update RX queue flags only if port is started, otherwise it is
         * already clean.
@@ -4452,10 +4571,21 @@ flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
                                     flow->hairpin_flow_id);
        flow_drv_destroy(dev, flow);
        if (list)
-               TAILQ_REMOVE(list, flow, next);
+               ILIST_REMOVE(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], list,
+                            flow_idx, flow, next);
        flow_mreg_del_copy_action(dev, flow);
-       rte_free(flow->fdir);
-       rte_free(flow);
+       if (flow->fdir) {
+               LIST_FOREACH(priv_fdir_flow, &priv->fdir_flows, next) {
+                       if (priv_fdir_flow->rix_flow == flow_idx)
+                               break;
+               }
+               if (priv_fdir_flow) {
+                       LIST_REMOVE(priv_fdir_flow, next);
+                       rte_free(priv_fdir_flow->fdir);
+                       rte_free(priv_fdir_flow);
+               }
+       }
+       mlx5_ipool_free(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], flow_idx);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4464,21 +4594,17 @@ flow_list_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
  * @param dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device.
  * @param list
- *   Pointer to a TAILQ flow list.
+ *   Pointer to the Indexed flow list.
  * @param active
  *   If flushing is called avtively.
  */
 void
-mlx5_flow_list_flush(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
-                    bool active)
+mlx5_flow_list_flush(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list, bool active)
 {
        uint32_t num_flushed = 0;
 
-       while (!TAILQ_EMPTY(list)) {
-               struct rte_flow *flow;
-
-               flow = TAILQ_FIRST(list);
-               flow_list_destroy(dev, list, flow);
+       while (*list) {
+               flow_list_destroy(dev, list, *list);
                num_flushed++;
        }
        if (active) {
@@ -4493,14 +4619,17 @@ mlx5_flow_list_flush(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list,
  * @param dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device.
  * @param list
- *   Pointer to a TAILQ flow list.
+ *   Pointer to the Indexed flow list.
  */
 void
-mlx5_flow_stop(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list)
+mlx5_flow_stop(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list)
 {
-       struct rte_flow *flow;
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       struct rte_flow *flow = NULL;
+       uint32_t idx;
 
-       TAILQ_FOREACH_REVERSE(flow, list, mlx5_flows, next) {
+       ILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], *list, idx,
+                     flow, next) {
                flow_drv_remove(dev, flow);
                flow_mreg_stop_copy_action(dev, flow);
        }
@@ -4514,16 +4643,18 @@ mlx5_flow_stop(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list)
  * @param dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device.
  * @param list
- *   Pointer to a TAILQ flow list.
+ *   Pointer to the Indexed flow list.
  *
  * @return
  *   0 on success, a negative errno value otherwise and rte_errno is set.
  */
 int
-mlx5_flow_start(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list)
+mlx5_flow_start(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t *list)
 {
-       struct rte_flow *flow;
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
+       struct rte_flow *flow = NULL;
        struct rte_flow_error error;
+       uint32_t idx;
        int ret = 0;
 
        /* Make sure default copy action (reg_c[0] -> reg_b) is created. */
@@ -4531,7 +4662,8 @@ mlx5_flow_start(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flows *list)
        if (ret < 0)
                return -rte_errno;
        /* Apply Flows created by application. */
-       TAILQ_FOREACH(flow, list, next) {
+       ILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], *list, idx,
+                     flow, next) {
                ret = flow_mreg_start_copy_action(dev, flow);
                if (ret < 0)
                        goto error;
@@ -4558,6 +4690,7 @@ void
 mlx5_flow_stop_default(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 {
        flow_mreg_del_default_copy_action(dev);
+       flow_rxq_flags_clear(dev);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4588,9 +4721,22 @@ mlx5_flow_alloc_intermediate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
 
-       if (!priv->inter_flows)
-               priv->inter_flows = rte_calloc(__func__, MLX5_NUM_MAX_DEV_FLOWS,
-                                              sizeof(struct mlx5_flow), 0);
+       if (!priv->inter_flows) {
+               priv->inter_flows = rte_calloc(__func__, 1,
+                                   MLX5_NUM_MAX_DEV_FLOWS *
+                                   sizeof(struct mlx5_flow) +
+                                   (sizeof(struct mlx5_flow_rss_desc) +
+                                   sizeof(uint16_t) * UINT16_MAX) * 2, 0);
+               if (!priv->inter_flows) {
+                       DRV_LOG(ERR, "can't allocate intermediate memory.");
+                       return;
+               }
+       }
+       priv->rss_desc = &((struct mlx5_flow *)priv->inter_flows)
+                        [MLX5_NUM_MAX_DEV_FLOWS];
+       /* Reset the index. */
+       priv->flow_idx = 0;
+       priv->flow_nested_idx = 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -4621,9 +4767,11 @@ mlx5_flow_verify(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
        struct rte_flow *flow;
+       uint32_t idx;
        int ret = 0;
 
-       TAILQ_FOREACH(flow, &priv->flows, next) {
+       ILIST_FOREACH(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], priv->flows, idx,
+                     flow, next) {
                DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u flow %p still referenced",
                        dev->data->port_id, (void *)flow);
                ++ret;
@@ -4672,15 +4820,15 @@ mlx5_ctrl_flow_source_queue(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                .group = MLX5_HAIRPIN_TX_TABLE,
        };
        struct rte_flow_action actions[2];
-       struct rte_flow *flow;
+       uint32_t flow_idx;
        struct rte_flow_error error;
 
        actions[0].type = RTE_FLOW_ACTION_TYPE_JUMP;
        actions[0].conf = &jump;
        actions[1].type = RTE_FLOW_ACTION_TYPE_END;
-       flow = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows,
+       flow_idx = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows,
                                &attr, items, actions, false, &error);
-       if (!flow) {
+       if (!flow_idx) {
                DRV_LOG(DEBUG,
                        "Failed to create ctrl flow: rte_errno(%d),"
                        " type(%d), message(%s)",
@@ -4757,7 +4905,7 @@ mlx5_ctrl_flow_vlan(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                        .type = RTE_FLOW_ACTION_TYPE_END,
                },
        };
-       struct rte_flow *flow;
+       uint32_t flow_idx;
        struct rte_flow_error error;
        unsigned int i;
 
@@ -4766,9 +4914,9 @@ mlx5_ctrl_flow_vlan(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
        }
        for (i = 0; i != priv->reta_idx_n; ++i)
                queue[i] = (*priv->reta_idx)[i];
-       flow = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows,
+       flow_idx = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->ctrl_flows,
                                &attr, items, actions, false, &error);
-       if (!flow)
+       if (!flow_idx)
                return -rte_errno;
        return 0;
 }
@@ -4807,7 +4955,7 @@ mlx5_flow_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
 
-       flow_list_destroy(dev, &priv->flows, flow);
+       flow_list_destroy(dev, &priv->flows, (uintptr_t)(void *)flow);
        return 0;
 }
 
@@ -4863,14 +5011,25 @@ mlx5_flow_isolate(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
  */
 static int
 flow_drv_query(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
-              struct rte_flow *flow,
+              uint32_t flow_idx,
               const struct rte_flow_action *actions,
               void *data,
               struct rte_flow_error *error)
 {
+       struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
        const struct mlx5_flow_driver_ops *fops;
-       enum mlx5_flow_drv_type ftype = flow->drv_type;
+       struct rte_flow *flow = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool
+                                              [MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW],
+                                              flow_idx);
+       enum mlx5_flow_drv_type ftype;
 
+       if (!flow) {
+               return rte_flow_error_set(error, ENOENT,
+                         RTE_FLOW_ERROR_TYPE_UNSPECIFIED,
+                         NULL,
+                         "invalid flow handle");
+       }
+       ftype = flow->drv_type;
        MLX5_ASSERT(ftype > MLX5_FLOW_TYPE_MIN && ftype < MLX5_FLOW_TYPE_MAX);
        fops = flow_get_drv_ops(ftype);
 
@@ -4892,7 +5051,8 @@ mlx5_flow_query(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
 {
        int ret;
 
-       ret = flow_drv_query(dev, flow, actions, data, error);
+       ret = flow_drv_query(dev, (uintptr_t)(void *)flow, actions, data,
+                            error);
        if (ret < 0)
                return ret;
        return 0;
@@ -5128,23 +5288,25 @@ flow_fdir_cmp(const struct mlx5_fdir *f1, const struct mlx5_fdir *f2)
  *   FDIR flow to lookup.
  *
  * @return
- *   Pointer of flow if found, NULL otherwise.
+ *   Index of flow if found, 0 otherwise.
  */
-static struct rte_flow *
+static uint32_t
 flow_fdir_filter_lookup(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_fdir *fdir_flow)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
-       struct rte_flow *flow = NULL;
+       uint32_t flow_idx = 0;
+       struct mlx5_fdir_flow *priv_fdir_flow = NULL;
 
        MLX5_ASSERT(fdir_flow);
-       TAILQ_FOREACH(flow, &priv->flows, next) {
-               if (flow->fdir && !flow_fdir_cmp(flow->fdir, fdir_flow)) {
-                       DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u found FDIR flow %p",
-                               dev->data->port_id, (void *)flow);
+       LIST_FOREACH(priv_fdir_flow, &priv->fdir_flows, next) {
+               if (!flow_fdir_cmp(priv_fdir_flow->fdir, fdir_flow)) {
+                       DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u found FDIR flow %u",
+                               dev->data->port_id, flow_idx);
+                       flow_idx = priv_fdir_flow->rix_flow;
                        break;
                }
        }
-       return flow;
+       return flow_idx;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -5165,6 +5327,8 @@ flow_fdir_filter_add(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
        struct mlx5_fdir *fdir_flow;
        struct rte_flow *flow;
+       struct mlx5_fdir_flow *priv_fdir_flow = NULL;
+       uint32_t flow_idx;
        int ret;
 
        fdir_flow = rte_zmalloc(__func__, sizeof(*fdir_flow), 0);
@@ -5175,22 +5339,32 @@ flow_fdir_filter_add(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
        ret = flow_fdir_filter_convert(dev, fdir_filter, fdir_flow);
        if (ret)
                goto error;
-       flow = flow_fdir_filter_lookup(dev, fdir_flow);
-       if (flow) {
+       flow_idx = flow_fdir_filter_lookup(dev, fdir_flow);
+       if (flow_idx) {
                rte_errno = EEXIST;
                goto error;
        }
-       flow = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->flows, &fdir_flow->attr,
-                               fdir_flow->items, fdir_flow->actions, true,
-                               NULL);
+       priv_fdir_flow = rte_zmalloc(__func__, sizeof(struct mlx5_fdir_flow),
+                                    0);
+       if (!priv_fdir_flow) {
+               rte_errno = ENOMEM;
+               goto error;
+       }
+       flow_idx = flow_list_create(dev, &priv->flows, &fdir_flow->attr,
+                                   fdir_flow->items, fdir_flow->actions, true,
+                                   NULL);
+       flow = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW], flow_idx);
        if (!flow)
                goto error;
-       MLX5_ASSERT(!flow->fdir);
-       flow->fdir = fdir_flow;
+       flow->fdir = 1;
+       priv_fdir_flow->fdir = fdir_flow;
+       priv_fdir_flow->rix_flow = flow_idx;
+       LIST_INSERT_HEAD(&priv->fdir_flows, priv_fdir_flow, next);
        DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u created FDIR flow %p",
                dev->data->port_id, (void *)flow);
        return 0;
 error:
+       rte_free(priv_fdir_flow);
        rte_free(fdir_flow);
        return -rte_errno;
 }
@@ -5211,23 +5385,30 @@ flow_fdir_filter_delete(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
                        const struct rte_eth_fdir_filter *fdir_filter)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
-       struct rte_flow *flow;
+       uint32_t flow_idx;
        struct mlx5_fdir fdir_flow = {
                .attr.group = 0,
        };
+       struct mlx5_fdir_flow *priv_fdir_flow = NULL;
        int ret;
 
        ret = flow_fdir_filter_convert(dev, fdir_filter, &fdir_flow);
        if (ret)
                return -rte_errno;
-       flow = flow_fdir_filter_lookup(dev, &fdir_flow);
-       if (!flow) {
-               rte_errno = ENOENT;
-               return -rte_errno;
+       LIST_FOREACH(priv_fdir_flow, &priv->fdir_flows, next) {
+               /* Find the fdir in priv list */
+               if (!flow_fdir_cmp(priv_fdir_flow->fdir, &fdir_flow))
+                       break;
        }
-       flow_list_destroy(dev, &priv->flows, flow);
-       DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u deleted FDIR flow %p",
-               dev->data->port_id, (void *)flow);
+       if (!priv_fdir_flow)
+               return 0;
+       LIST_REMOVE(priv_fdir_flow, next);
+       flow_idx = priv_fdir_flow->rix_flow;
+       flow_list_destroy(dev, &priv->flows, flow_idx);
+       rte_free(priv_fdir_flow->fdir);
+       rte_free(priv_fdir_flow);
+       DRV_LOG(DEBUG, "port %u deleted FDIR flow %u",
+               dev->data->port_id, flow_idx);
        return 0;
 }
 
@@ -5264,8 +5445,15 @@ static void
 flow_fdir_filter_flush(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 {
        struct mlx5_priv *priv = dev->data->dev_private;
-
-       mlx5_flow_list_flush(dev, &priv->flows, false);
+       struct mlx5_fdir_flow *priv_fdir_flow = NULL;
+
+       while (!LIST_EMPTY(&priv->fdir_flows)) {
+               priv_fdir_flow = LIST_FIRST(&priv->fdir_flows);
+               LIST_REMOVE(priv_fdir_flow, next);
+               flow_list_destroy(dev, &priv->flows, priv_fdir_flow->rix_flow);
+               rte_free(priv_fdir_flow->fdir);
+               rte_free(priv_fdir_flow);
+       }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -5479,9 +5667,9 @@ mlx5_flow_destroy_policer_rules(struct rte_eth_dev *dev,
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device structure.
  *
  * @return
- *   Pointer to allocated counter  on success, NULL otherwise.
+ *   Index to allocated counter  on success, 0 otherwise.
  */
-struct mlx5_flow_counter *
+uint32_t
 mlx5_counter_alloc(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 {
        const struct mlx5_flow_driver_ops *fops;
@@ -5494,7 +5682,7 @@ mlx5_counter_alloc(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
        DRV_LOG(ERR,
                "port %u counter allocate is not supported.",
                 dev->data->port_id);
-       return NULL;
+       return 0;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -5503,10 +5691,10 @@ mlx5_counter_alloc(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
  * @param[in] dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device structure.
  * @param[in] cnt
- *   Pointer to counter to be free.
+ *   Index to counter to be free.
  */
 void
-mlx5_counter_free(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flow_counter *cnt)
+mlx5_counter_free(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t cnt)
 {
        const struct mlx5_flow_driver_ops *fops;
        struct rte_flow_attr attr = { .transfer = 0 };
@@ -5527,7 +5715,7 @@ mlx5_counter_free(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flow_counter *cnt)
  * @param[in] dev
  *   Pointer to Ethernet device structure.
  * @param[in] cnt
- *   Pointer to counter to query.
+ *   Index to counter to query.
  * @param[in] clear
  *   Set to clear counter statistics.
  * @param[out] pkts
@@ -5539,7 +5727,7 @@ mlx5_counter_free(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flow_counter *cnt)
  *   0 on success, a negative errno value otherwise.
  */
 int
-mlx5_counter_query(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, struct mlx5_flow_counter *cnt,
+mlx5_counter_query(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint32_t cnt,
                   bool clear, uint64_t *pkts, uint64_t *bytes)
 {
        const struct mlx5_flow_driver_ops *fops;
@@ -5640,6 +5828,13 @@ next_container:
        dcs = (struct mlx5_devx_obj *)(uintptr_t)rte_atomic64_read
                                                              (&pool->a64_dcs);
        offset = batch ? 0 : dcs->id % MLX5_COUNTERS_PER_POOL;
+       /*
+        * Identify the counters released between query trigger and query
+        * handle more effiecntly. The counter released in this gap period
+        * should wait for a new round of query as the new arrived packets
+        * will not be taken into account.
+        */
+       rte_atomic64_add(&pool->start_query_gen, 1);
        ret = mlx5_devx_cmd_flow_counter_query(dcs, 0, MLX5_COUNTERS_PER_POOL -
                                               offset, NULL, NULL,
                                               pool->raw_hw->mem_mng->dm->id,
@@ -5648,6 +5843,7 @@ next_container:
                                               sh->devx_comp,
                                               (uint64_t)(uintptr_t)pool);
        if (ret) {
+               rte_atomic64_sub(&pool->start_query_gen, 1);
                DRV_LOG(ERR, "Failed to trigger asynchronous query for dcs ID"
                        " %d", pool->min_dcs->id);
                pool->raw_hw = NULL;
@@ -5687,13 +5883,17 @@ mlx5_flow_async_pool_query_handle(struct mlx5_ibv_shared *sh,
        struct mlx5_counter_stats_raw *raw_to_free;
 
        if (unlikely(status)) {
+               rte_atomic64_sub(&pool->start_query_gen, 1);
                raw_to_free = pool->raw_hw;
        } else {
                raw_to_free = pool->raw;
                rte_spinlock_lock(&pool->sl);
                pool->raw = pool->raw_hw;
                rte_spinlock_unlock(&pool->sl);
-               rte_atomic64_add(&pool->query_gen, 1);
+               MLX5_ASSERT(rte_atomic64_read(&pool->end_query_gen) + 1 ==
+                           rte_atomic64_read(&pool->start_query_gen));
+               rte_atomic64_set(&pool->end_query_gen,
+                                rte_atomic64_read(&pool->start_query_gen));
                /* Be sure the new raw counters data is updated in memory. */
                rte_cio_wmb();
        }
@@ -5792,19 +5992,22 @@ mlx5_flow_discover_mreg_c(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
                                .type = RTE_FLOW_ACTION_TYPE_END,
                        },
                };
+               uint32_t flow_idx;
                struct rte_flow *flow;
                struct rte_flow_error error;
 
                if (!config->dv_flow_en)
                        break;
                /* Create internal flow, validation skips copy action. */
-               flow = flow_list_create(dev, NULL, &attr, items,
-                                       actions, false, &error);
+               flow_idx = flow_list_create(dev, NULL, &attr, items,
+                                           actions, false, &error);
+               flow = mlx5_ipool_get(priv->sh->ipool[MLX5_IPOOL_RTE_FLOW],
+                                     flow_idx);
                if (!flow)
                        continue;
                if (dev->data->dev_started || !flow_drv_apply(dev, flow, NULL))
                        config->flow_mreg_c[n++] = idx;
-               flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, flow);
+               flow_list_destroy(dev, NULL, flow_idx);
        }
        for (; n < MLX5_MREG_C_NUM; ++n)
                config->flow_mreg_c[n] = REG_NONE;