A method for identifying a pre-computed path for an incoming connection (Conn1) at a node in a policy-based routing network, said method comprising: examining requirements of said incoming connection (Conn1); examining policies associated with routes available from said node; identifying at least one policy of said policies which meets said requirements of said incoming connection (Conn1); and utilizing said identified at least one policy for said pre-computed path for said incoming connection (Conn1), wherein said examining said requirements of said incoming connection comprises distilling said requirements into one or more connection elements; said examining said policies associated with routes available from said node comprises distilling said policies into one or more policy elements; and said identifying said at least one policy comprises comparing said one or more connection elements against said one or more policy elements, wherein said requirements of said incoming connection comprise required policy elements and must-avoid elements, wherein said identifying said at least one policy by comparing said one or more connection elements against said one or more policy elements comprises first identifying routes that have a lowest number mismatching required elements compared with required elements of said incoming comlection as a first set; then from said first set, identifying routes that have a highest number of required elements matching required elements said incoming connection as a second set; and then from said second set, identifying a route having a lowest number of must-avoid elements that mismatch with must-avoid elements of said incoming connection as said at least one policy. examining requirements of said incoming connection (Conn1); examining policies associated with routes available from said node; identifying at least one policy of said policies which meets said requirements of said incoming connection (Conn1); and utilizing said identified at least one policy for said pre-computed path for said incoming connection (Conn1), wherein said examining said requirements of said incoming connection comprises distilling said requirements into one or more connection elements; said examining said policies associated with routes available from said node comprises distilling said policies into one or more policy elements; and said identifying said at least one policy comprises comparing said one or more connection elements against said one or more policy elements, wherein said requirements of said incoming connection comprise required policy elements and must-avoid elements, wherein said identifying said at least one policy by comparing said one or more connection elements against said one or more policy elements comprises first identifying routes that have a lowest number mismatching required elements compared with required elements of said incoming comlection as a first set; then from said first set, identifying routes that have a highest number of required elements matching required elements said incoming connection as a second set; and then from said second set, identifying a route having a lowest number of must-avoid elements that mismatch with must-avoid elements of said incoming connection as said at least one policy.