METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZING DATA TRANSMISSION WITH ON-DEMAND LINKS OF A NETWORK

摘要

A novel synchronization mechanism synchronizes delivery of data packets over on-demand links of a computer network in a manner that efficiently utilizes those links. The mechanism comprises control information generated by a source node and stored in a network layer header of a data packet transmitted to a destination node via at least one router coupled to an on-demand link of the network. Depending upon the state of the control information the router is instructed whether to immediately dial the link to establish a connection for delivery of the packet to the destination node.