Packet Modification to Facilitate Use of Network Tags

An apparatus comprising:

• a port configured to receive a packet that includes a network tag;
• a processor unit coupled to the port, wherein the processor is configured to:
• determine whether the packet is to be forwarded to a non-recognizing apparatus in a network, the non-recognizing apparatus not being capable of processing packets with network tags at a desired speed or at all;
• modify the packet to obtain a modified packet in response to a determination that the packet is to be forwarded to the non-recognizing apparatus, wherein the modified packet is capable of being processed by the non-recognizing apparatus at the desired speed;
• and
• output the modified packet to the non-recognizing apparatus.

A computer readable tangible storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• receive a packet that includes a network tag;
• determine whether the packet is to be forwarded to a non-recognizing node in a network, the non-recognizing node not being capable of processing packets with network tags at a desired speed or at all;
• and
• in response to a determination that the packet is to be forwarded to the non-recognizing node, modify the packet to obtain a modified packet and send the modified packet to the non-recognizing node, wherein the modified packet is capable of being processed by the non-recognizing node at the desired speed.