In order to configure a network for optimized transport of packet data traffic, a first packet node determines whether a traffic volume to be forwarded to a remote second packet node exceeds a predefined bypass threshold. If that is the case, the first packet node sends a bypass request towards the remote second packet node. An intermediate third packet node processes the request and determines, whether it locally has an interfering second bypass request and in this case, determines which of the two requests has a higher weight. The bypass request or, in case of an interfering second bypass request, the one with the higher weight, is then forwarded to the remote second packet node. Upon receipt thereof, the second packet node determines whether the received bypass request can be served. It that is the case, the bypass will be executed by sending a trigger to a service layer network to establish a bypass connection in accordance with the bypass request.