In one example embodiment, the modifications of the IP/data packets, by the execution of either the backhaul protocol stack or the radio protocol stack, is performed as described above and may further be based on service provider's specifications and guidelines.

Thereafter, at S320, the RAN SD i-Switching controller, routes (manages) the first modified IP/data packets between the appropriate ones of the servers of the network of servers 106 (e.g., between appropriate ones of the servers implementing radio protocol stacks, between appropriate ones of the servers implementing radio and backhaul protocol stacks, between appropriate ones of the servers implementing backhaul protocol stacks, between appropriate ones of the servers implementing radio/backhaul protocol stacks and other VNFs, etc. As described above and according to one example embodiment, the RAN SD i-Switching controller routes (manages) the first modified IP/data packets depending on loading conditions, traffic conditions, service provider specifications, software defined routing instructions (e.g., software defined table described above), etc.