A data packet processing method, Where the method includes matching a received data packet in a flow table, and determining the received data packet as a newly-established data packet, where the newly-established data packet is a data packet that needs to be reported to a controller to determine a processing manner, determining a target priority of the newly-established data packet, and reporting the newly-established data packet to the controller according to the target priority. Priorities of data packets entering an OPENFLOW switch are determined, and for unsuccessfully matched data packets, a data packet having a high priority is forwarded preferentially according to the priorities, thereby ensuring that data having a high priority is not discarded.