Patent ID: 9479435
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method for supporting transport of data packets in a network, comprising: transmitting said data packets from a source node to a destination node by employing a tunnel from a first tunnel endpoint (A) to a second tunnel endpoint (B); adding a tunnel header to said data packets at said first tunnel endpoint (A); and transmitting said data packets between said tunnel endpoints via a network domain that includes one or more intermediate nodes functioning as transport network, and wherein said intermediate nodes forward said data packets, wherein said tunnel is provided in the form of a virtual tunnel by removing said tunnel header from said data packets where said data packets enter said network domain and adding back said tunnel header to said data packets where said data packets exit said network domain, wherein a first encapsulation/decapsulation function represents an entrance of said network domain, wherein a second encapsulation/decapsulation function represents an egress of said network domain, wherein a controller function (FC) instructs said first encapsulation/decapsulation function to remove the tunnel header from said data packets, wherein said controller function (FC) instructs said intermediate nodes to forward said data packets to said second encapsulated/decapsulated function by installing forwarding rules, and wherein said controller function (FC) instructs said second encapsulation/decapsulation function to add back the analyzed tunnel header to said data packets.