Method and apparatus for emulating a circuit connection in a cell based communications network

摘要

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for emulating a circuit connection in a cell based communications network. A virtual connection is sent from a source connected to the network to a node in the network wherein the virtual connection comprises a series of data cells comprising a header portion and a data portion. The virtual connection is transported across at least one communications link connecting the first node to a second node in the network. A first queue is dedicated to the virtual connection at each node in the network through which the signal passes. The queue comprises a first amount of buffer space, is dedicated for the duration of the circuit connection and, dedicated only to that virtual connection. A first amount of link bandwidth is allocated to the virtual connection on each communications link across which the virtual connection passes. The amount of link bandwidth is allocated for the duration of the circuit connection and is allocated only to that particular virtual connection. The virtual connection is received at a destination connected to the communications network at a node of the communications network.