Patent ID: 7773607

Claim:
A method of setting up virtual circuits from a first end system on a network, said method being performed in said first end system, said method comprising: receiving a request to set up a first virtual circuit which is to terminate at a second end system, said first virtual circuit having a first plurality of attributes; sending a first setup message to cause said first virtual circuit to be set up to said second end system; receiving a request to set up a second virtual circuit which is also to terminate at said second end system, said second virtual circuit having a second plurality of attributes; generating data representing a difference of said second plurality of attributes and said first plurality of attributes; forming a second setup message containing said data representing said difference and an identifier of said first virtual circuit; sending said second setup message to cause said second virtual circuit to be set up to said second end system, wherein a plurality of specific information elements are provided in a new information element, wherein said difference is contained in each of said plurality of specific information elements is and wherein the forming includes providing a flag that specifies whether the specific information elements are to be removed or replaced.