Claims:WE CLAIM
1.A method for transmitting data over a communication network, the method comprising:
identifying, via a network device, an optimum network path in the communication network between a source node and a destination node, wherein the optimum network path comprises a plurality of intermediate nodes between the source node and the destination node, and wherein the plurality of intermediate nodes comprises a plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes;
determining, via the network device, an optimum packet size of the optimum network path for transmitting a plurality of data packets without fragmentation;
transmitting, via the network device, each of the plurality of data packets from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at the optimum packet size;
detecting, via the network device, at least one of a plausible fragmentation of a data packet being transmitted and an actual fragmentation of a transmitted data packet at one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes;
dynamically updating, via the network device, the optimum packet size of the optimum network path for transmitting remaining data packets of the plurality of data packets without fragmentation based on the detection; and
transmitting, via the network device, each of the remaining data packets from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at the updated optimum packet size.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the optimum packet size of the optimum network path comprises determining a minimum packet size from a plurality of maximum packet sizes corresponding to the plurality of intermediate nodes in the optimum network path.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the plurality of maximum packet sizes comprises:
transmitting a discovery data packet from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at a pre-determined packet size;
determining a successful reception of the discovery data packet at the destination node; and
upon the successful reception, determining a maximum packet size corresponding to each of the plurality of intermediate nodes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting comprises:
detecting a need to fragment the data packet being transmitted from one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes, or
detecting fragmentation of the transmitted data packet at one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein dynamically updating the optimum packet size of the optimum network path comprises:
determining a new maximum packet size corresponding to a node at which the data packet being transmitted needs to be fragmented or a node at which the transmitted data packet is fragmented; and
dynamically determining a new optimum packet size of the optimum network path based on the new maximum packet size.

6. A network device for transmitting data over a communication network, the network device comprising:
at least one processor; and
a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:
identifying an optimum network path in the communication network between a source node and a destination node, wherein the optimum network path comprises a plurality of intermediate nodes between the source node and the destination node, and wherein the plurality of intermediate nodes comprises a plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes;
determining an optimum packet size of the optimum network path for transmitting a plurality of data packets without fragmentation;
transmitting each of the plurality of data packets from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at the optimum packet size;
detecting at least one of a plausible fragmentation of a data packet being transmitted and an actual fragmentation of a transmitted data packet at one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes;
dynamically updating the optimum packet size of the optimum network path for transmitting remaining data packets of the plurality of data packets without fragmentation based on the detection; and
transmitting each of the remaining data packets from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at the updated optimum packet size.

7. The network device of claim 6, wherein determining the optimum packet size of the optimum network path comprises determining a minimum packet size from a plurality of maximum packet sizes corresponding to the plurality of intermediate nodes in the optimum network path.

8. The network device of claim 7, wherein determining the plurality of maximum packet sizes comprises:
transmitting a discovery data packet from the source node to the destination node via the optimum network path at a pre-determined packet size;
determining a successful reception of the discovery data packet at the destination node; and
upon the successful reception, determining a maximum packet size corresponding to each of the plurality of intermediate nodes.

9. The network device of claim 6, wherein detecting comprises:
detecting a need to fragment the data packet being transmitted from one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes, or
detecting fragmentation of the transmitted data packet at one of the plurality of intelligent intermediate nodes.

10. The network device of claim 6, wherein dynamically updating the optimum packet size of the optimum network path comprises:
determining a new maximum packet size corresponding to a node at which the data packet being transmitted needs to be fragmented or a node at which the transmitted data packet is fragmented; and
dynamically determining a new optimum packet size of the optimum network path based on the new maximum packet size.

Dated this 9th day of September, 2016

Swetha SN
Of K&S Partners
Agent for the Applicant
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to communication network, and more particularly to system and method for transmitting data over a communication network.