A software defined network service (SDNS) node for altering a logical flow of data packets in a network to accommodate predetermined ordered service chains, comprising a receiver configured to receive an encapsulated data packet comprising a tag via a encapsulated tunnel from another SDNS node, wherein the tag identifies an ordered service chain or a next hop in the ordered service chain, a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to decapsulate the encapsulated data packet, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to forward the decapsulated data packet to a service device attached to the SDNS node when the processor determines, based on the tag, that a service on the service device should be applied to the data packet.