OPTIMUM PATH DECISION METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize connection setup delay in an access node by selecting an advance calculation path for each connection request and calculating the path when the advance calculation path is not stored in a path designation database and including a process storing it to the path designation database. SOLUTION: A path controller 305 calculates an optimum path through a network to satisfy one set of given service quality designated by the user and to minimize the quantity of network resource used to make the communication path complete. Then the controller builds up a header for a packet generated at a path designating point. As an optimizing criterion, there are the number of intermediate nodes, the characteristic of a connection request, the link capability in the path, its operating state and number of intermediate nodes or the like. The optimum path is stored in a path designation database 308 for reuse.