Patent ID: 6944166

Claim:
A media gateway in a packet network, said media gateway providing communication between a first station and said packet network and a second media gateway providing communication between a second station and said packet network, said media gateway adapted to: allocate resources for said first station, said resources forming a first connection providing communication from said media gateway over said packet network to said second media gateway, said first connection adapted to provide a first service level; transmit a request for communication with said second station, said request providing network connection information about said first connection and said first service level; receive a message providing network connection information about a second connection and a second service level, said second service level associated with said second connection, said second connection providing communication between said second media gateway and said packet network; modify said first connection to provide said second service level; transmit data received from said first station destined for said second station to a network address of said second media gateway using said first connection; and transmit data received from said second station destined for said first station to a network address of said first media gateway using said second connection.