Abstract: There is disclosed methods, apparatus, and computer programs relating to a Software Defined Network (SDN) for use in a communication network. The SDN acts as an entity in a first service chain of entities through which a data flow is routable by another SDN in the communication network. The first service chain comprises one or more service applications each for performing a service on data from the data flow at a logical layer in the communication network associated with that service application. The SDN routes data from the data flow received at the SDN through a second service chain comprising one or more SDN service applications. An SDN service application of the second service chain is for performing a service on data from the data flow at a higher logical layer within the communication network than is a service application of the first service chain.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of managing connections in a communication network. A first and second packet are received from a third entity intermediate to a first and second entity in the communication network. The first packet and the second packet are used to establish a third transport protocol socket and a fourth transport protocol socket at a fourth entity. Header field re-valuing information is established based at least in part on first header field value information obtained from the first packet and/or second header field value information obtained from the second packet. Header field values in a subsequent received packet are re-valued based on the header field re-valuing information, either prior to the subsequent packet being input to the third transport protocol socket or the fourth transport protocol socket or subsequent to the subsequent packet being output from the third transport protocol socket or the fourth transport protocol socket.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of managing connections in a communication network. A first and second packet are received from a third entity intermediate to a first and second entity in the communication network. The first packet and the second packet are used to establish a third transport protocol socket and a fourth transport protocol socket at a fourth entity. Header field re-valuing information is established based at least in part on first header field value information obtained from the first packet and/or second header field value information obtained from the second packet. Header field values in a subsequent received packet are re-valued based on the header field re-valuing information, either prior to the subsequent packet being input to the third transport protocol socket or the fourth transport protocol socket or subsequent to the subsequent packet being output from the third transport protocol socket or the fourth transport protocol socket.

Abstract: There is disclosed methods, apparatus, and computer programs relating to a Software Defined Network (SDN) for use in a communication network. The SDN acts as an entity in a first service chain of entities through which a data flow is routable by another SDN in the communication network. The first service chain comprises one or more service applications each for performing a service on data from the data flow at a logical layer in the communication network associated with that service application. The SDN routes data from the data flow received at the SDN through a second service chain comprising one or more SDN service applications. An SDN service application of the second service chain is for performing a service on data from the data flow at a higher logical layer within the communication network than is a service application of the first service chain.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic traffic steering is described. In one embodiment, a method for dynamic traffic steering involves receiving a request for content at a steering component, comparing information in the request with steering criteria in the steering component, steering the request based on the comparing, and continuously updating the steering criteria based on requests that are subsequently received at the steering component. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for domain based dynamic traffic steering is described. In one embodiment, a method for domain based dynamic traffic steering involves comparing a domain name with a domain whitelist and a domain blacklist of a packet modifying entity, and if the domain name matches the domain whitelist or the domain blacklist of the packet modifying entity, updating a corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) whitelist or IP blacklist of the packet modifying entity to include an IP address of the domain name. Other embodiments are also described.