Patent ID: 6490245
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A method of re-establishing a communications connection in a network element after a failure occurs affecting said communications connection, said network element being one of at least one network element in a switched connection communications network over which said communications connection is provisioned in a source-to-destination bearer path, said bearer path including a cross-connection in said first-mentioned network element, said cross-connection being associated with said communications connection prior to said failure at a time when said communications connection is provisioned, said method comprising the steps of:(a) delaying release of said cross-connection following said failure; and (b) during said delayed release, determining whether said cross-connection remains operable notwithstanding said failure and, if so, re-associating said operable cross-connection with said communications connection to thereby re-establish same over at least that portion of said bearer path which comprises said cross-connection.