[ta20210405]

>The key is “for each packet”, because it’s bucket based it will entirely skip evaluation for packets that do not match.

That is how it works in nftables.

>but I can see how it could be confusing if you’re used to iptables and only think in those terms.

Considering you're misunderstanding some basics about nftables and iptables here, I think you need to look in the mirror.

>I posted the architectural diagrams of both in another comment on this thread yesterday, I think you missed that.

I saw, and it only reenforced the fact that that's how nftables works. Hilariously enough, the OpenBSD webpage crashed and wouldn't load, giving various 500 and 42X errors.

[ta20210405]

Here is an article that covers performance between Linux and FreeBSD, and it leaves BSD in the dust: https://matteocroce.medium.com/linux-and-freebsd-networking-...

Also, it specifically outlined how more rules slow down of on FreeBSD, and how poor multicore support is on pf.