A method for providing control in a communication network including one or more network elements includes configuring a switch of a first network element of the communication network and a local controller of the first network element by means of one or more configuration messages received from a centralized controller and controlling one or more packet flows between one or more of the switch of the first network element, the local controller of the first network element, the centralized controller and one or more second network elements based on the configuration of the switch and of the local controller of the first network element.