A path computation and control method, comprising: receiving a request for a new connection in a network at a Path Computation and Control Element PCCE from an application via a northbound interface that allows the application to use the PCCE to request connectivity from a source network node to a destination network node, the PCCE performing functionality of both (i) a Path Computation Element PCE for conveying information with a Path Computation Client PCC at the source network node , and (ii) a PCC for providing to the PCC at the source network node initiation of the request for the new connection by requesting connection establishment to the PCC at the source network node ; computing a path through the network based on a network graph of current topology in the network at the PCCE ; sending an update message to the PCC at the source network node from the PCCE with the path and a new connection identifier for the path, wherein the PCCE initiates and controls creation of the connection based on the path while directly interacting only with the PCC at the source network node for the creation of the connection; establishing the connection by the source network node utilizing a distributed control plane where requests for connections are made from the source network node to other nodes in the network responsive to the update message without the other nodes interacting with the PCCE regarding the connection establishment; receiving a report message at the PCCE from the PCC at the source network node that the connection has been created based on the computed path subsequent to the establishing; and updating the current topology at the PCCE based on the report message and the PCCE notifying the application that connectivity is available. receiving a request for a new connection in a network at a Path Computation and Control Element PCCE from an application via a northbound interface that allows the application to use the PCCE to request connectivity from a source network node to a destination network node, the PCCE performing functionality of both (i) a Path Computation Element PCE for conveying information with a Path Computation Client PCC at the source network node , and (ii) a PCC for providing to the PCC at the source network node initiation of the request for the new connection by requesting connection establishment to the PCC at the source network node ; (i) a Path Computation Element PCE for conveying information with a Path Computation Client PCC at the source network node , and (ii) a PCC for providing to the PCC at the source network node initiation of the request for the new connection by requesting connection establishment to the PCC at the source network node ; computing a path through the network based on a network graph of current topology in the network at the PCCE ; sending an update message to the PCC at the source network node from the PCCE with the path and a new connection identifier for the path, wherein the PCCE initiates and controls creation of the connection based on the path while directly interacting only with the PCC at the source network node for the creation of the connection; establishing the connection by the source network node utilizing a distributed control plane where requests for connections are made from the source network node to other nodes in the network responsive to the update message without the other nodes interacting with the PCCE regarding the connection establishment; receiving a report message at the PCCE from the PCC at the source network node that the connection has been created based on the computed path subsequent to the establishing; and updating the current topology at the PCCE based on the report message and the PCCE notifying the application that connectivity is available. <EOS>