Abstract: The non-limiting embodiments of the present technology relate to the data transmission technology in packet-switched Software Defined Networks (SDN), comprising switches with Ethernet ports and controlled by software controllers. The aim of this technical solution is to increase network switches' resource efficiency by establishing frame transport path in the network with MPLS transport tags set by the network controller as well as to reduce software functional requirements for OpenFlow switches and controllers by supporting standard frame fields processing. Method for forming an Ethernet frame and methods for transferring the Ethernet frame are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for multicast packet transmission, executable in a software defined network having at least one input port, at least two output ports, and at least one network node. Switching rules are generated for transmitting at least one packet of a multicast group from an input port to an output port. For a given external traffic consumer, which is the first to request the multicast group, a shortest path from a given input port to a given output port, associated with the given external traffic consumer, is determined. For a subsequent external traffic consumer requesting the at least one multicast group, a shortest path from a network node closest to an output port of the subsequent external traffic consumer, where the switching rules for the multicast group are set, is determined.