Abstract: A signaling protocol process is described for setting up and controlling end to end data link connections. An optimal data path can be selected and configured by a digital subscriber loop (DSL) user based on particular bandwidth requirements, data rate cost constraints, and/or data delay requirements. The data path can be set up to include one or more data routes, including through a regular digital public switching telephone network (PSTN), various kinds of wide area networks (WANs), and virtual permanent circuit links via digital cross-connects (DCS).