Abstract:
A network element (NE) comprising a memory device configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions by dividing a first plurality of data packets of a data flow into a first plurality of sub-flows, and causing the first plurality of sub-flows to be transmitted to a second NE via a network, wherein the first plurality of sub-flows are transmitted using a first Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) security association (SA) cluster comprising a plurality of parallel sub-SAs. The disclosure also includes a NE comprising a processor configured to create an IPsec SA cluster comprising a first plurality of sub-SAs between the NE and a second NE using an internet key exchange (IKE) or an IKEv2, wherein the first sub-SAs are unidirectional, and wherein the first sub-SAs are configured to transport a first plurality of data packets in a common direction.