Provides optimizing a data path and forwarding a data from a start node to an end node over a network, wherein the data is forwarded through the data path which is determined by a data path option having a minimum overall capacity regarding first capacity values. Provides a first capacity value for a specific first node and for a specific first node function including determining a number of second data path options for the second nodes of the specific first node to perform the specific first node function, for each second data path option, the second nodes having one or more assigned second node functions. Provides a second capacity values for each of the second nodes and for each of the assigned second node functions, and determines overall capacity values of the nodes and for each of the assigned second node functions.