VIRTUAL PRIVATE LINE SERVICE

摘要

VIRTUAL PRIVATE LINE SERVICE This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing point-to-point private line service by providing a switched communication circuit only whenever either terminal of the private line service lifts its receiver. In a departure from the prior art, and in order to ensure that no other stations can get access to the private line terminals, the service is provided by assigning both terminals to acommon software defined network, and by routing the call through the software defined network using a non-dialable routing number derived from the identity of a calling station. Whenever either terminal lifts its receiver, a connection is set up within the software defined network; this prevents callers from outside the software defined network from accessing either terminal. alternatively, an ingress switch of a public switched network can directly provide a non-dialable routing number for routing a call from a station that has gone off-hook to a predetermined destination identified in such a way that it cannot be reached by dialing a call. Advantageously, fully private line service is provided without requiring dedicated facilities.