Abstract: In an embodiment of a method of encoding a data identifier, the data identifier is one of a plurality of data identifiers of a data network. Each of the data identifiers includes a string of characters. An occurrence probability table is provided which indicates for defined components of the plurality of data identifiers a frequency of occurrence within the plurality of data identifiers. The components are defined based on one or more characteristics of the plurality of data identifiers. Based on the occurrence probability table, the data identifier is encoded according to a variable length encoding algorithm.

Abstract: A first router sends to neighboring routers an interest packet associated with the at least one service including a service name indicator and a unique interest tag. A second router receives the interest packet, sends the interest packet to a server of the at least two servers and stores the interest tag together with the incoming and outgoing connection port in its interest route table. The server attaches data including load data of the at least one service to the interest packet and sends the interest packet back to the second router. The second router calculates service performance data based on the data attached, stores the service performance data in its service performance table and updates the routing table based on an evaluation of the service performance data, and sends the interest packet via its incoming connection port as associated by the interest route table to the first router.

Abstract: An exemplary communication device includes a node having a processor configured to instantiate a service at the node responsive to the processor determining that the node is a superior instantiation candidate relative to a next upstream node on a downstream path of the service. An exemplary method of communicating includes instantiating a service at a node responsive to the node determining that the node is a superior instantiation candidate relative to a next upstream node on a downstream path of the service.