Systems and methods for connecting frame relay devices via an atm network using a frame relay proxy signaling agent

An ATM network capable of transporting data between a first node and a second node capable of transmitting and receiving frame relay data frames via a switched virtual circuit connection, the ATM network comprising:

• a plurality of ATM switches;
• a connection controller capable of establishing a fixed connection between an ATM access device coupled to said first node and a first selected one of said ATM switches;
• and
• a frame relay proxy controller disposed at said first selected ATM switch and adapted for communicating via said fixed connection established by said connection controller, wherein said frame relay proxy controller receives SVC signaling information from said first node via said fixed connection and establishes an SVC connection with said second node.

For use in an ATM network capable of transporting data between a first node and a second node operable to transmit and receive frame relay data frames, wherein the first node is coupled to an ATM access device incapable of providing to the first node support for switched virtual circuit (SVC) connections, a method for servicing an SVC connection between the first node and the second node, the method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a fixed connection between the ATM access device and a selected intermediate node in the ATM network;
• and
• receiving SVC signaling information from the first node via the fixed connection at a frame relay proxy controller disposed at the selected intermediate node;
• and
• establishing an SVC connection with the second node.