Abstract: A request for a funds transfer is received in a computer. The request includes addressing information for an individual recipient of the requested funds transfer. The computer retrieves identification information that identifies a service provider for the recipient. A request is routed from the computer to a service provider by using the service provider identification information. The request to the service provider is for requesting recipient account information. The computer receives a payment account number from the service provider. The payment account number identifies a payment account that belongs to the recipient. The computer executes the requested funds transfer by routing the funds transfer to the recipient's payment account using the received payment account number.

Abstract: A method of coherently provisioning one or more paths through a transport network is disclosed. In other words, none of the traffic paths are provisioned unless all of the traffic paths can be provisioned. All of the nodes in one or more transport networks are listed that must be configured to provision all of the proposed traffic paths, and all of the nodes are checked, one after another, to ensure that each node can, in fact, provide all of the resources needed to establish all of the proposed traffic paths before any of the traffic paths are actually provisioned. As each node is visited, the set-up message directs each node to reserve, but not actually provision, the resources to be provided by that node for all of the proposed traffic paths. When all of the nodes have been visited, the set-up message re-visits each node and directs each node to actually provision the resources that had been previously reserved.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods for improving the probability of finding a connection path that meets user specified delay requirements. The improvements offer packet switches enhanced path selection that will improve the resource utilization of networks, both flat networks and hierarchical networks incorporating such switches. The latter type of networks run the path selection algorithm in the PNNI v1.0 standard where the packet switches are asynchronous transfer mode switches. Two modes of enhanced delay-based path selection are based on two different accumulation methods, namely an additive method and an asymptotic method.

Abstract: A method of coherently provisioning one or more paths through a transport network is disclosed. In other words, none of the traffic paths are provisioned unless all of the traffic paths can be provisioned. All of the nodes in one or more transport networks are listed that must be configured to provision all of the proposed traffic paths, and all of the nodes are checked, one after another, to ensure that each node can, in fact, provide all of the resources needed to establish all of the proposed traffic paths before any of the traffic paths are actually provisioned. As each node is visited, the set-up message directs each node to reserve, but not actually provision, the resources to be provided by that node for all of the proposed traffic paths. When all of the nodes have been visited, the set-up message re-visits each node and directs each node to actually provision the resources that had been previously reserved.

Abstract: An improved technique for provisioning working paths and protection paths is disclosed in which the “inferiority” of various links from each node to a “next hop” is examined. Choices are eliminated at each step before plural choices are evaluated at the next step, until the best working paths and protection paths through the network are established.

Abstract: Methods and communication networks having a plurality of connection-oriented switches in which administrative weights are assigned based on link call blocking probabilities. Three assignment schemes include, first, a solution that can be built in the switch software of sufficiently similar switches to enable the switches to determine administrative weights for their links. The second and third schemes employ administrative weight management stations. The second scheme uses an administrative weight management station that operates to enhance total network revenue or throughput in a communication network in which all of the switches implement a certain type of accounting management information databases (MIB). The third scheme uses an administrative weight management station that computes administrative weights for switches that do not have the capability for the second scheme, but which employ appropriate MIBs.

Abstract: This is a method for dynamic and distributed management of Virtual Path Connections (VPCs) in a hierarchical ATM network. VPC parameters, including VPC type (heterogeneous or homogeneous), source node characteristics, end-to-end VPC constraints (GoS and QoS), and the number of on-demand connections to be supported, are determined or specified. Network resources, such as bandwidth and buffer size availability, are also determined. The parameters and information relating to the network resources are sent to a connection server that computes an optimal physical route for the VPC, allocates resources along the computed route, and notifies switches along the route of the new allocation of resources. The switches then change their respective configurations to accommodate the new allocation.