Patent ID: 7142545

Claim:
A computer implemented method in a network element comprising: receiving a first and second packet on a first virtual connection that traverses said network element, the first packet and the second packet being of a first traffic protocol type that corresponds to the first virtual connection, the first packet's payload being a third packet of a second traffic protocol type and the second packet's payload being a fourth packet of a third traffic protocol type, wherein the second and third traffic protocol type are a Layer 2 and a Layer 3 protocol respectively; processing the first and the second packet with a first traffic protocol type function; separating the third packet and the fourth packet into a second and third virtual connection respectively based on their traffic protocol types; applying a first set of one or more features to the third packet; applying a second set of one or more features to the fourth packet; and transmitting the third and fourth packet to different locations, where the third packet is switched and the fourth packet is routed.