Data path performance measurement using network traffic in a software defined network

A method in a network controller of a control plane in a software defined network (SDN) coupled to a plurality of network elements (NEs) of a data plane in the SDN is described. The method includes sending a first control message having content including a first set of one or more classification rules to an ingress NE of the plurality of NEs; sending a second control message having content including a second set of one or more classification rules to an egress NE of the plurality of NEs; receiving the second notification message from the egress NE responsive to the selected data packet having been received by the ingress NE from an upstream NE and forwarded through the SDN from the ingress NE toward the egress NE; and calculating an indication of a delay of the selected data packet between the ingress NE and the egress NE.