A method for monitoring flow attributes at a network node comprises detecting first information indicative of transmission of a packet through the network node. The first information is discernible from information contained within the packet. The method also comprises determining that the packet is not part of an existing flow and generating, in a flow cache memory, a new flow entry corresponding to the packet. The method further comprises receiving second information associated with the transmission of the packet through the network node. The second information is contained in a forwarding information base (FIB) stored in the network node and cannot be discerned from information contained within the packet. The method also comprises writing, in the flow cache memory, at least a portion of the second information to the new flow entry corresponding to the packet.