A method includes determining, by a congestion point (CP) unit, traffic flow congestion in an Open Flow environment network. The CP unit comprises an Open Flow switch including a device including logic where an action is associated with each flow entry in the device. A congestion point (CP) unit sends a first congestion notification message (CNM) directly to at least one controller and sends a second CNM directly to at least one reaction point (RP) unit. The CP unit communicates with the at least one controller through a secure channel via Open Flow protocol.
