摘要 |
The invention relates to a method for packet transfer in a telecommunications network. In a node (N1) at the boundary of the network, the data packets to be transmitted are segmented into lower protocol layer data units. The data units are transferred in the network both in default channels and in dedicated channels. For efficient routing of the data packets, the node (N1) at the boundary of the network monitors packets that pertain to the same flow, and upon detecting that a given flow meets predetermined criteria, a dedicated lower protocol layer connection identifier is assigned for its use. In a node (N2) within the network, the connection identifiers of incoming data packets are monitored, and upon detection of a new connection identifier that is not associated with a default channel or a dedicated channel, an output port and a new outgoing lower protocol layer connection identifier are defined for the data unit on the basis of the destination address of that packet, and the data unit is routed to the relevant output port. Upon detection of the same lower protocol layer connection identifier as said new connection identifier in subsequently arriving data units, routing is performed in the node (N2) merely on the basis of the lower protocol layer connection identifier. Dedicated connections are discarded from use in the nodes after no traffic in a flow having a dedicated connection identifier has been detected during a given period of time.
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