A method for establishing end-to-end tunnels extending across multiple domains using a network element. The method includes receiving a request from a customer controller to implement a virtual network (VN) created by the customer controller, wherein the VN identifies the end-to-end tunnels extending across the multiple domains, mapping the VN to available resources based on network constraints in response to the request, and transmitting, after the VN has been mapped, a message to a network controller managing one of the domains that includes a network path used to form a portion of one of the end-to-end tunnels, wherein the message includes an association object having a Type-Length-Value (TLV) field containing a virtual network identifier binding the network path to the VN.