Method for setting up a connection in a synchronous digital telecommunications network and network element

A network element for carrying out a method for setting up a connection between a sending network element and a selected network element of a digital, synchronous telecommunications network wherein possible paths with free transmission capacity between the sending network element and the selected network element are identified using a broadcast that is being sent by the sending network element to all other network elements and whereby the connection is subsequently set up via one of the identified paths, said method comprising the steps of:

• logically structuring the telecommunications network in at least two multiplex layers based on a hierarchy and in accordance with the protocol used in the telecommunications network with each network element having access to at least one part of the multiplex layers;
• checking each of the logical multiplex layers to determine which of the multiplex layers is suitable for setting up the connection;
• and relaying the broadcasting via existing connections of the suitable multiplex layers to which the respective relaying network element has access, said network element comprising:
• means for identifying a connection request,
• means for checking each of the logical multiplex layers to determine which one of the multiplex layers is suitable for setting up the connection,
• means for determining free transmission capacity for existing connections of the suitable multiplex layers,
• means for sending the broadcast and
• means for relaying a received broadcast.