Node apparatus and method of using a virtual connection to transmit a packet

摘要

A node manages a virtual connection (VC) in a network such that at least one unused virtual connection to the neighboring node is established and registered. When a VC is needed to transmit a packet, the node obtains the required VC by selecting one of the registered unused VCs instead of setting up a new VC. When a VC in use becomes no longer necessary, the node registers the VC as an unused VC instead of releasing the VC.