Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for increasingly applying network resources to traffic flows based on heuristics and policy conditions. A network determines that a traffic flow satisfies a first condition and transmits a first portion of the traffic flow to a network service. A network service then inspects the first portion of the traffic flow at a first level of detail and determines that the traffic flow satisfies a second condition. The network can then transmit a second portion of the traffic flow to the network service based on the determining the traffic flow satisfies the second condition. The network service can inspect the second portion of the traffic flow at a second level of detail, wherein the inspecting at the second level of detail requires a different amount of computing resources than the inspecting at the first level of detail.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for dynamically applying network functions to traffic flows based on heuristics, policy conditions and client-specified conditions. A network monitors a network traffic flow to determine whether the network traffic flow meets a first criterion of a first rule. The criterion specifies that when the first criterion is met a network function be used to analyze or process the network traffic flow. When the network traffic flow is determined to meet the first criterion, the network determines a first route through the network to a network function provider that provides the network function and configures one or more routers along the first route to forward the network traffic flow to the network function provider for analysis or processing.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that provision a cloud-based service together with a dedicated network connection to provision a cloud-based service element. In response to the request both the cloud-based service element and a dedicated network connection are provisioned.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method configures a network to route data on a first network service that connects a user's network with a service provider network. In the method, an instruction to route data from the network addressed to a hostname on the first network service is received. According to the hostname, a first IP address that addresses a server identified by the hostname is determined. A second IP address is also determined as the second IP address of the specific network service. Finally, a message is sent to the user's network that specifically instructs the user's network to route data addressed to the first IP address to the second IP address. The message causes configuration of a router on the user's network to route data on the first network service. System and computer program product embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A user of a network service (such as an Ethernet e-line) can specify rules defining changes to the network service under particular usage conditions (for example threshold bandwidth utilization). The network's usage is monitored. When particular usage conditions are detected, the network service is evaluated to determine what switches need to be configured and how to configure them. The switches are configured accordingly. When the usage conditions no longer exist, the switches are re-configured to their original service level.

Abstract: A user of a network service (such as an Ethernet e-line) can request a change in capacity (such as bandwidth) for a particular time period. When that time period occurs, the network service is evaluated to determine what switches need to be configured and how to configure them. The switches are configured accordingly. When the time period expires, the switches are re-configured to their original service level.