A first switch in a MPLS network receives a plurality of packets that are part of a pair of flows. The first switch performs a packet prediction learning algorithm on the first plurality of packets and generates packet prediction information that is communicated to a second switch within the MPLS network utilizing an Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) packet (message). In a first example, the first switch communicates a packet prediction information notification to a Network Operations Center (NOC) that in response communicates a packet prediction control signal to the second switch. In a second example, the first switch does not communicate a packet prediction information notification. In the first example, the second switch utilizes the packet prediction control signal to determine if the packet prediction information is to be utilized. In the second example, second switch independently determines if the packet prediction information is to be used.
Please help me write a proper abstract based on the patent claims. CLAIM: 1. A method comprising: (a) receiving a plurality of packets on a first switch; (b) performing a packet prediction learning algorithm using the first plurality of packets and thereby generating a packet prediction information; (c) communicating the packet prediction information from the first switch to a second switch, wherein the packet prediction information is not communicated to a Network Operation Center (NOC); (d) communicating a packet prediction information notification from the first switch to a Network Operating Center (NOC); (e) in response to (d) the NOC communicates a packet prediction control signal to the second switch; and (f) in response to (e) the second switch utilizes the packet prediction control signal to determine if a packet prediction operation algorithm utilizing the packet prediction information is to be performed. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communicating of (c) is accomplished using an OAM message, and wherein the communicating of (d) and (e) is accomplished using an OpenFlow message. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the packet prediction information is included in a payload portion of the OAM message. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the packet prediction control signal is included in a payload portion of an OpenFlow message. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the packet prediction information includes Inter-Packet Interval (IPI) information for a specific application protocol. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the packet prediction information includes an application protocol estimation table. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of packets are part of a pair of flows, and wherein the plurality of packets belong to the same application protocol. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein when the packet prediction control signal is a first value the second switch performs the packet prediction operation, and wherein when the packet prediction control signal is a second value the second switch does not perform the packet prediction operation. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of application protocols for which the second switch performs packet prediction algorithm is a function of the packet prediction control signal. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: (a1) communicating prediction learning algorithm configuration information from the NOC to the first switch, wherein the prediction learning algorithm configuration information configures the prediction learning algorithm characteristics, and wherein the prediction learning algorithm configuration information is communicated in an OpenFlow message. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the number of packets included in the plurality of packets is a function of the prediction learning algorithm configuration information, and wherein an number of inter-packet intervals generated for an application protocol is a function of the prediction learning algorithm configuration information. 12. A method comprising: (a) receiving a plurality of packets on a first switch; (b) performing a packet prediction learning algorithm on the first switch utilizing the first plurality of packets and thereby generating a packet prediction information; (c) communicating the packet prediction information from the first switch to a second switch, wherein the packet prediction information is not communicated to a Network Operation Center (NOC); and (d) in response to (c) the second switch independently determines if a packet prediction operation algorithm utilizing the packet prediction information is to be performed. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating of (c) is accomplished using an OAM message. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the packet prediction information is included in the payload portion of the OAM message. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the packet prediction information is Inter-Packet Interval (IPI) information. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the packet prediction information includes an application protocol estimation table. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of packets are part of a pair of flows, and wherein the plurality of packets belong to the same application protocol. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein when the packet prediction control signal is a first value the second switch performs the packet prediction operation, and wherein when the packet prediction control signal is a second value the second switch does not perform the packet prediction operation. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein a plurality of application protocols for which the second switch performs packet prediction algorithm is a function of the packet prediction control signal. 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising: (a1) communicating prediction learning algorithm configuration information from the NOC to the first switch, wherein the prediction learning algorithm configuration information configures the prediction learning algorithm characteristics, and wherein the prediction learning algorithm configuration information is communicated in an OpenFlow message.