Patent ID: 9031038
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: receiving a data packet over a first link at a first network element; transmitting from the first network element a tunnel endpoint identifier of the first link over the first link; receiving a discovery message over a second link, the discovery message including a tunnel endpoint identifier of the second link, the discovery message triggering an establishment of an out-of-band channel; establishing the out-of-band channel over a third link between the first network element and a second network element; establishing a generic routing encapsulation (GRE) tunnel between the first network element and the second network element using the out-of-band channel; and receiving instructions at the first network element over the third link to offload the data packet from the first link, wherein the first network element is configured to use the out-of-band channel to identify the first network element to the second network element, to confirm a receipt of the discovery message, and to obtain the instructions.