Abstract: A method for clearing a plural number of connections from each of two connected nodes by clearing the first connection from the first node, generating a single first message from the first node to the second node identifying the connections, clearing the connections from the second node in response to the receipt of the first message, and generating a second message from the second node to the first node identifying the connections cleared by the second node in response to the second node receiving the first message. Furthermore, a node having circuits for generating and interpreting each of the two messages, and maintaining a database of connection status. Further, each of the two message types that signal a clearing of a plurality of inter-nodal connections.

Abstract: A method for debugging failure nodes of a network connection by providing node debugging information for a failure node in a connection failure message of a signaling protocol. The connection failure message, which indicates a failed network connection, is forwarded from the failure node to the source node of the failed connection. The node debugging information is carried in a generic application transport information element of the PNNI signaling RELEASE message, providing an efficient debugging means for network failure nodes.