Patent ID: 8423760

Claim:
A machine-implemented method for optimizing packet process overhead while securing traffic in a packet network performed within a network element, the method comprising: receiving, at a network element, a first packet from an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (RAN) (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB) of an E-UTRAN access network via a secured communications tunnel of a secured connection, the first packet encapsulating a second packet therein; determining at the network element whether the network element serves both a security gateway functionality and a serving gateway functionality of a core packet network based on the first packet and the second packet; negotiating with the eNB to switch further communications from a tunnel mode to a transport mode of the secured connection if a determination is made that the network element serves both the security gateway functionality and the serving gateway functionality; and exchanging further packets with the eNB via the transport mode of the secured connection after the eNB switches from the tunnel mode to the transport mode.