Data network components and frameworks for the control and optimization of network traffic using layered architectures, according to embodiments of the invention, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a data network comprises a switch, a data link, a tracking processor, and a planning processor. The planning processor is configured to generate a reference trajectory by receiving a local system state from the tracking processor, calculating a reference trajectory by solving a planning problem, and sending the reference trajectory to the tracking processor. The tracking processor is configured to track the reference trajectory by determining a set of states of the switch over a time interval, sending a local system state to the planning processor, receiving the reference trajectory from the planning processor, computing a control action by solving a tracking problem based on the reference trajectory, determining an instruction based on the control action, and sending the instruction to the switch.