Patent ID: 7822047

Claim:
A method for processing protocol packets, the method comprising: providing via a processor, in a first network element, a protocol packet connected to a Bi-directional Forwarding Detection protocol session with a selection identifier, the Bi-directional Forwarding Detection protocol session controlling that a data transmission link between network elements, a route between two points in a data network, or a tunnel defined in the data network is in proper order for operation, and the values of the selection identifier being arranged to fulfill the following conditions: each protocol processing unit included in the second network element is arranged to correspond to no more than a predetermined number of selection identifier values, and at least one of the selection identifier values is available for use in connection with at least two simultaneous Bi-directional Forwarding Detection protocol sessions, transmitting said protocol packet from said first network element to said second network element, defining via a processor, in said second network element and on the basis of said selection identifier, a protocol processing unit operating said Bi-directional Forwarding Detection protocol session from among the protocol processing units of said second network element, and transmitting, in said second network element, at least part of the information contained by said protocol packet to the protocol processing unit operating said Bi-directional Forwarding Detection protocol session to deliver the at least part of the information contained by said protocol packet to the correct protocol processing unit from among the group of protocol processing units of said second network element.