Network element configured to operate in an information centric network

A network element (NE) configured to operate in an information centric network (ICN), the NE comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a batch of test traffic flows, wherein the batch of test traffic flows are copies of a plurality of first traffic flows received in a forwarding plane of the ICN during a defined interval;
• a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor is configured to:
• construct a test path list comprising a determined optimal path for each of the batch of test traffic flows;
• construct a plurality of replacement forwarding rules based on current forwarding rules and the determined optimal paths contained in the test path list;
• and
• select routing paths for a plurality of second traffic flows based on the replacement forwarding rules, wherein the second traffic flows are received in the forwarding plane subsequent to the first traffic flows,
• wherein the receiver is further configured to receive additional batches of test traffic flows, and wherein a duration between the additional batches of test traffic flows is determined based on a configuration of the NE.

A network element (NE) configured to operate in an information centric network (ICN), the NE comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a batch of test traffic flows, wherein the batch of test traffic flows are copies of a plurality of first traffic flows received in a forwarding plane of the ICN during a defined interval;
• a processor coupled to the receiver, wherein the processor is configured to:
• construct a test path list comprising a determined optimal path for each of the batch of test traffic flows;
• construct a plurality of replacement forwarding rules based on current forwarding rules and the determined optimal paths contained in the test path list;
• and
• select routing paths for a plurality of second traffic flows based on the replacement forwarding rules, wherein the second traffic flows are received in the forwarding plane subsequent to the first traffic flows,
• wherein the replacement forwarding rules define a plurality of routing paths for a given traffic flow based on a percentage of total packet flow through the given traffic flow.