Interconnected networks and methods for communicating therebetween using virtual communications links

摘要

A method and apparatus for interconnecting first and second networks that use the same protocols for communications by a third network. The third network is defined in the first and second networks as a single virtual communications link of the native type used by the first and second networks. In response to requests from initiating nodes in the first and second networks to communicate with destination nodes in the other of the first and second networks, routing computation services in the first and second networks compute routes through the first and second networks that will connect the originating and destination nodes and that include the virtual link as such a route. The virtual link is also used to remotely support the communication needs of dependent nodes in the first and second networks that do not have the ability to establish communications sessions within the networks on their own.