Patent ID: 6219337
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A communication node comprising:a performance manager which terminates or relays a virtual connection and which monitors information relating to traffic and performance of said virtual connection to determine the necessity of expansion in capacity of said virtual connection;a capacity calculating circuit which calculates a capacity to be allocated to said virtual connection with reference to said information relating to said traffic;a message transmitter which produces an expansion request message including a requested expansion value and information specifying said virtual connection when it is determined that said virtual connection requires the expansion in capacity, and said message transmitter produces a reduction response message including a responded reduction value and information specifying a particular virtual connection which is available to be reduced in capacity;a message receiver which receives said expansion request message and said reduction response message; anda capacity managing circuit which expands or reduces said capacity of said virtual connection in response to said expansion request message and said reduction response message.