Method for managing packets in a network of information centric networking (icn) nodes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for managing packets in a network of Information Centric Networking (ICN) nodes (), the method comprising: —at a first node (), performing steps of: ∘ Receiving a request (i) for a data packet (C), and if the data packet (C) is stored, responding to the request (i) by forwarding the data packet (C); otherwise ∘ sending to at least one neighboring node () of the network a request (i') for meta-data packets (@), a meta-data packet (@) indicating availability of said data packet (C) at a target node; ∘ receiving in response at least one meta-data packet (@), so as to identify at least one target node () wherein said data packet (C) is available; ∘ forwarding the request (i) for said data packet (C) toward one selected target node (); —at a second node (), performing steps of: ∘ Receiving a request (i′) for meta-data packets (@), and if the data packet (C) is stored, responding to the request (i′) by forwarding a meta-data packet (@) indicating availability of said data packet (C) at the second node (); otherwise ∘ forwarding to at least one neighboring node () of the network the request (i′) for meta-data packets (@).