Abstract: A method and apparatus for rerouting connections in a data communication network based on detection of faults or other undesirable characteristics using a user connection monitoring function is presented. After a connection is established that is managed by a control plane, the status of characteristics of the connection is monitored using a user connection monitoring function. In one embodiment, the user connection monitoring function includes the use of operation and management (OAM) cells. When the status of one or more of the selected characteristics being monitored is determined to be unacceptable, control plane rerouting of the connection is initiated. Selected characteristics that may be monitored using the user connection monitoring function include, for example, continuity, data corruption, data loss, latency, and misinsertion of data. The reroute initiated in response to the unacceptable characteristic may be a hard reroute or a soft reroute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating and utilizing control plane congestion information in a communication network that utilizes a source routed signaling protocol is presented. When control plane congestion is detected at a network element within the communication network, a congestion notification message is generated corresponding to the detected control plane congestion. The congestion notification is then provided to at least one additional network element within the communications network. The at least one additional network element can then utilize this knowledge of the congestion within the network to perform various network functions, including the routing a connection set-up message.

Abstract: Advertising available resource information for a link in a communication network is provided. The network uses a source routing protocol. The source routing protocol uses the available resource advertisements for identifying a path for a call routed through the node in the network. The method advertises the available resource information for the node to adjacent nodes linked to the node in the network when the node receives a request for a connection to be routed over the link, the request seeking resources exceeding available resources for the link, but not exceeding the last advertised resources for the link.

Abstract: Advertising available resource information for a link in a communication network is provided. The network uses a source routing protocol. The source routing protocol uses the available resource advertisements for identifying a path for a call routed through the node in the network. The method advertises the available resource information for the node to adjacent nodes linked to the node in the network when the node receives a request for a connection to be routed over the link, the request seeking resources exceeding available resources for the link, but not exceeding the last advertised resources for the link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating and utilizing link connection type characteristics in a communications network begins by determining the connection type characteristics for a link within the network. The connection type characteristics preferably include the partitioning of the available bandwidth of the link. The connection type characteristics for the link are advertised to at least one node in the network. The connection type characteristics are then used to perform network functions such as selecting routing paths for new connections. When a change occurs in the link that results in altered connection type characteristics for the link, the altered connection type characteristics are determined and advertised in a similar manner.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for synchronization of topology state information between two network nodes in a communications network. The communications network has a routing protocol for intermittent advertisement of local state information throughout the network. The two network nodes include a requesting node which initiates a request for topology state synchronization and a replying node which receives the request. The replying node communicates with the requesting node to provide topology state information to the requesting node which is not possessed by the requesting node when the requesting node initiates its request. The method includes the step of selecting, prior to the request being made by the requesting node to the replying node, between a first and a second mode of synchronization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rerouting connections in a data communication network based on detection of faults or other undesirable characteristics using a user connection monitoring function is presented. After a connection is established that is managed by a control plane, the status of characteristics of the connection is monitored using a user connection monitoring function. In one embodiment, the user connection monitoring function includes the use of operation and management (OAM) cells. When the status of one or more of the selected characteristics being monitored is determined to be unacceptable, control plane rerouting of the connection is initiated. Selected characteristics that may be monitored using the user connection monitoring function include, for example, continuity, data corruption, data loss, latency, and misinsertion of data. The reroute initiated in response to the unacceptable characteristic may be a hard reroute or a soft reroute.

Abstract: Advertising available resource information for a link in a communication network is provided. The network uses a source routing protocol. The source routing protocol uses the available resource advertisements for identifying a path for a call routed through the node in the network. The method advertises the available resource information for the node to adjacent nodes linked to the node in the network when the node receives a request for a connection to be routed over the link, the request seeking resources exceeding available resources for the link, but not exceeding the last advertised resources for the link.

Abstract: Advertising available resource information for a link in a communication network is provided. The network uses a source routing protocol. The source routing protocol uses the available resource advertisements for identifying a path for a call routed through the node in the network. The method advertises the available resource information for the node to adjacent nodes linked to the node in the network when the node receives a request for a connection to be routed over the link, the request seeking resources exceeding available resources for the link, but not exceeding the last advertised resources for the link.