Abstract: A system and method for routing permanent virtual connections (PVCs) and soft permanent virtual connections (SPVCs) through a digital communications network such as an ATM network. The permanent virtual connections are routed via algorithms executed by a central network management entity. The SPVCs are routed via switched virtual circuit algorithms implemented by management entities located at network switching elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus include processing for providing reliable internetworking services that begins by determining whether identified internetworking resources and identified intranetworking resources provide a reliable intranetworking service. For example, the internetworking service may be a communication, data transfer, file share, etc., between two or more users affiliated with different networks. The identified intranetworking resources are those links within each network to support the communication (i.e., the internetworking service) and the identified internetworking resources are those that couple the networks. The processing continues by determining whether the reliable internetworking service cannot be provided due to a failure of one of the identified intranetworking resource. When this occurs, the identified internetworking resources that are associated with the failed intranetworking resource are flagged.