| 摘要 |
<p>For each potential end-to-end connection through a network (118), a plurality of possible communications paths (22, 24, 26, 28) are identified and ranked in order of preference for selection. One of these communications paths is initially selected (112) to support a request (110) for establishment (114) of an end-to-end connection. The remaining possible communications paths comprise alternative communications paths to that selected communications path. In the event of a failure (116) of the selected communications path, one of the pre-defined alternative communcations paths is selected (118) to replace (120) the failed selected communications path and provide continued support of the end-to-end connection. The alternative communications path that is selected most likely comprises that one of the pre-defined paths having a highest relative preference ranking. Consideration may also be given during selection as to whether that highest ranked alternative communications path has sufficient capacity to serve the end-to-end connection.</p> |
