AAL2 negotiation procedure

A method of assigning a plurality of AAL2 channels to an ATM virtual channel connection (VCC), said method comprising the steps of:

• at a first ATM communications entity generating an assignment request message for sending to a second ATM communications entity to request assignment of an AAL2 channel in an ATM VCC connecting said first and second ATM communications entitles in response to said assignment request message;
• at said second ATM communications entity receiving said assignment request messages from the first ATM communications entity and in response thereto generating a first assignment confirmation message for sending to said first ATM communications entity confirming receipt of said assignment request message;
• and
• at said first ATM communication entity receiving said first assignment confirmation message and in response thereto sending to said second ATM communications entity a second assignment confirmation message to confirm receipt of said first assignment confirmation message, wherein if, within a predetermined period of time, the second ATM communications entity does not receive any of the second assignment confirmation message and a further assignment request message from the first ATM communications entity then said second ATM communications entity completes the assignment of the AAL2 channel.

A method for transmitting a plurality of streams of digital data using at least one of a plurality of ATM adaptation layer type 2 channels over a communications entity to request assignment request message to said second ATM

• identifying an unused channel amongst said plurality of channels, wherein said plurality of channels are configurable to connect a transmitting function to a receiving function;
• sending a message from said transmitting function to said receiving function requesting to use said identified channel to connect said transmitting function to said receiving function;
• sending a message from said receiving function to said transmitting function confirming that said identified channel is available to transmit said digital data between said transmitting function and said receiving function;
• exchanging said stream of digital data between said transmitting function and said receiving function using said identified channels;
• and
• releasing said identified used channel.

A network comprising:

• a plurality of physical resources comprising a plurality of processors, and a plurality of memory means;
• a means for communicating between said plurality of physical resources;
• a plurality of functions residing at said plurality of processors and said plurality of memory means, wherein at least one function of said plurality of function is sub-divided into a first set of functional blocks;
• at least one functional block of said first set of functional blocks is sub-divided into a second set of first, second and third functional blocks comprising respectively originating procedures, terminating procedures and status record, wherein members of said first set of functional blocks are configurable to exchange a first set of messages with members of said second set of functional blocks;
• and
• members of said second set of functional blocks within a first function residing at a first set of processors and a first set of memory means are configurable to exchange a second set of messages with corresponding members of a second set of functional blocks within a second function residing at a second set of physical resources and a second set of memory means.