Distributed virtual path

A method of arranging distributed virtual paths within an ATM network, the method comprising:

• establishing a source network element for a distributed virtual path;
• establishing at least one intermediate network element for the distributed virtual path;
• connecting the source network element to the at least one intermediate network element using the distributed virtual path;
• establishing a virtual circuit originating from the source network element;
• establishing a virtual circuit originating from the at least one intermediate network element;
• connecting the distributed virtual path back to the source network element;
• originating transmissions of at least one of operations, administrative and maintenance cells at the source network element;
• originating transmissions from the at least one intermediate network element;
• receiving at the source network element the transmissions of at least one of the operations, administrative and maintenance cells originating at the source network element;
• receiving at the source network element the transmissions originating at the at least one intermediate network element, and;
• monitoring at the source network element the at least one of the operations, administrative and maintenance cells received from the source network.

Apparatus for arranging distributed virtual paths within an ATM network comprising:

• means for establishing a source network element for a distributed virtual path;
• means for establishing at least one intermediate network element for the distributed virtual path;
• means for connecting the source network element to the at least one intermediate network element using the distributed virtual path;
• means for establishing a virtual circuit originating from the source network element and for establishing a virtual circuit originating from the at least one intermediate network element;
• means for connecting the distributed virtual path back to the source network element;
• and
• means for originating transmissions of at least one of operations, administrative and maintenance cells at the source network element, for originating transmissions from the at least one intermediate network element, for receiving at the source network element the transmissions of at least one of the operations, administrative and maintenance cells originating at the source network element and for receiving at the source network element the transmissions originating at the at least one intermediate network element, the source network element being arranged to monitor at least one of the operations, administrative and maintenance cells received from the source network element.