A path computation element, PCE, central controller, PCECC, comprising: a memory comprising executable instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions, wherein executing the instructions causes the processor to: receive a request to compute a path through a network, the request comprising a plurality of computational tasks, wherein the network is a packet switched network, where data traffic is transported using packets or frames along network paths or routes; divide the plurality of computational tasks into a plurality of groups of computational tasks; transmit at least some of the plurality of groups of computational tasks to a plurality of path computation clients, PCCs, for computation by the PCCs, wherein the PCCs are devices or components configured to communicate packets according to a PCEP through the network; and receive, from the PCCs, computation results corresponding to the plurality of groups of computational tasks, wherein the processor is further caused to: compute an optimized path through the network according to the computation results received from the PCCs; and transmit forwarding information corresponding to the optimized path to at least some of the PCCs of the plurality of PCCs. a memory comprising executable instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions, wherein executing the instructions causes the processor to: receive a request to compute a path through a network, the request comprising a plurality of computational tasks, wherein the network is a packet switched network, where data traffic is transported using packets or frames along network paths or routes; divide the plurality of computational tasks into a plurality of groups of computational tasks; transmit at least some of the plurality of groups of computational tasks to a plurality of path computation clients, PCCs, for computation by the PCCs, wherein the PCCs are devices or components configured to communicate packets according to a PCEP through the network; and receive, from the PCCs, computation results corresponding to the plurality of groups of computational tasks, wherein the processor is further caused to: compute an optimized path through the network according to the computation results received from the PCCs; and transmit forwarding information corresponding to the optimized path to at least some of the PCCs of the plurality of PCCs. receive a request to compute a path through a network, the request comprising a plurality of computational tasks, wherein the network is a packet switched network, where data traffic is transported using packets or frames along network paths or routes; divide the plurality of computational tasks into a plurality of groups of computational tasks; transmit at least some of the plurality of groups of computational tasks to a plurality of path computation clients, PCCs, for computation by the PCCs, wherein the PCCs are devices or components configured to communicate packets according to a PCEP through the network; and receive, from the PCCs, computation results corresponding to the plurality of groups of computational tasks, wherein the processor is further caused to: compute an optimized path through the network according to the computation results received from the PCCs; and transmit forwarding information corresponding to the optimized path to at least some of the PCCs of the plurality of PCCs. compute an optimized path through the network according to the computation results received from the PCCs; and transmit forwarding information corresponding to the optimized path to at least some of the PCCs of the plurality of PCCs.