| CPC H04L 43/028 (2013.01) [H04L 12/6418 (2013.01); H04L 43/026 (2013.01); H04L 47/2483 (2013.01); H04L 49/70 (2013.01); H04L 69/161 (2013.01)] | 50 Claims |

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1. A method for use with a packet network that includes a network node for transporting Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) packets between first and second entities under control of a controller that is external to the network node, the method comprising:
sending, by the controller to the network node over the TCP packet network, an instruction and a packet-applicable criterion;
receiving and storing, by the network node from the controller, the instruction and the criterion;
receiving, by the network node from the first entity over the packet network, a TCP packet addressed to the second entity;
checking, by the network node, if the TCP packet satisfies the criterion;
responsive to the packet not satisfying the criterion, sending, by the network node over the packet network, the TCP packet to the second entity; and
responsive to the TCP packet satisfying the criterion, sending the TCP packet, by the network node over the packet network, to the controller.
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