Patent ID: 8045539
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A Virtual Group Connection (VGC) arrangement for grouping Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) connections in an access node, comprising: a plurality of Virtual Path Connections (VPCs), each having at least one Virtual Channel Connection (VCC); and a pool of connection resources commonly associated with said plurality of VPCs, wherein said VPCs are operable to be managed as a single virtual pipe that creates a Virtual Group Connection (VGC) wherein a plurality of VGCs are grouped onto a single pathway and are operable to be managed on the single pathway and wherein a plurality of users of at least one VGC are serviced by an access node that receives the at least one VGC on an ingress interface coupled to the single pathway and wherein a network manager is responsible for managing and provisioning the plurality of VGCs and each customer manages its own VGC and resource allocation for its own VGC wherein a central office terminal (COT) node provides VGC bundling functionality and wherein the COT node is coupled to a transport network via a transport card and to an access loop portion via a line card and wherein the transport card and the line card are both contained within the COT node and wherein a switch fabric board includes the ATM connections and a connection management (CM) server and wherein said pool of connection resources is associated with the switch fabric board and wherein a common control block of the COT node includes a connection management (CM) client and a provisioning database.