Description of packet in a packet communication network

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for operating a packet communication network node, in particular an IP router, comprising the following steps: a) reception by the node of a packet (10) from the network; b) reception by the node of an information (13) independent of the protocols of the OSI layers 5 through 7 even of the OSI layers 4 through 7 of the packet and concerning at least one of the following characteristics: the type of data transported in the packet, the transmission source of the data transported in the packet other than the network address of the transmission source of the packet, and the recipient of the data transported in the packet other than the network address of the transmission source of the packet; c) processing by the node of the packet (10) on the basis of said description. It is advantageous that said information is contained in the packet itself.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.