FIELD: physics, computer engineering.
SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a method of redirecting an Internet protocol (IP) packet in a network element and a network element for redirecting an IP packet through Ethernet segments. A network element comprises a virtual router, which connects at least two level 2 network segments to allow data transmission in between, wherein each level 2 network segment is connected to a corresponding I-SID value, wherein each network element is configured to receive, from the level 2 network segment, an Ethernet frame in which an IP packet is encapsulated, wherein the IP packet contains the IP address of the recipient, and the Ethernet frame contains the I-SID and MAC address of the recipient associated with the virtual router, and when the MAC address of the recipient in the received Ethernet frame is associated with the virtual router, perform at least one routing data stream processing in the encapsulated IP packet, wherein said routing data stream processing includes identification of the level 2 network segment associated with the IP address of the recipient in the IP packet, and direct the IP packet to the identified level 2 network segment in the Ethernet frame with the I-SID associated with the identified level 2 network segment.
EFFECT: optimising data routing in a network.
12 cl, 3 dwg
