Method and apparatus for switching high-speed multimedia content packets with compressed internet protocol header

摘要

An IP packet (210) is retrieved having a header and a payload. The header of the IP packet is compressed. The payload is appended to the compressed header to create a compressed IP packet. A multi-protocol label switch (MPLS) virtual circuit is established through a plurality of IP routers terminating at a destination of the IP packet. The compressed IP packet is converted into a MPLS packet (230). The MPLS packet (230) is transmitted through the MPLS virtual circuit. The MPLS packet is re-converted into the compressed IP packet at the destination. The compressed IP packet is decompressed at the destination (170).