Patent ID: 7260061

Claim:
A method comprising: (a) an entry point into a second network receiving a first connection setup message, the first connection setup message being transmitted from a first network through the second network to a third network so as to set up an inter-network connection between the first network and the third network; (b) transmitting a second connection setup message from the entry point to an exit point of the second network, the receipt of the first connection setup message at the entry point initiating the transmission of the second connection setup message, the second connection setup message initiating setup of a transit network connection through the second network; (c) transmitting the first connection setup message from the entry point to the third network substantially simultaneously with the transmission of the second connection setup message; (d) delaying the first connection setup message at the exit point of the second network at least until the exit point receives the second connection setup message; and (e) after the delaying of (d) forwarding the first connection setup message to the third network.