Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving a request message, the request message including a pointer; determining whether the network node is associated with the pointer; and if the network node is associated with the pointer: determining a label associated with the pointer, modifying the request message to produce a modified message, the modified message including the label, and transmitting the modified message to at least one other network node. Various embodiments additionally or alternatively relate a method and related network node including one or more of the following receiving a publish message, wherein the publish message includes a pointer; generating a label to be associated with the pointer; modifying the publish message to produce a modified message, wherein the modified message includes the label; and transmitting the modified message to at least one other network node.