Network for exchanging packet signals via a pooled connection

A first network-unit for use in a network for exchanging packet signals between network-units, comprising:

• said first network-unit coupled to terminals;
• and
• a second network-unit coupled to said first network-unit and to a further network,
• wherein said first network-unit comprises an in/output to be coupled to the second network-unit via a pooled connection between said first network-unit and said second network-unit,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is smaller than a sum of all terminal-capacities,
• wherein said second network-unit comprises a manager for managing said exchanging,
• wherein said manager in said second network-unit comprises a controller for controlling the capacity of said pooled connection, and
• wherein a number of connections in the pooled connection is established in relation to a number of terminals such that the number of connections in the pooled connection is smaller than the number of the terminals and bandwidth capacity of the number of connections is established in relation to bandwidth capacity of the terminals such that the bandwidth capacity of the number of connection is smaller than the bandwidth capacities of the terminals.

A second network-unit for use in a network for exchanging packet signals between network-units comprising:

• a first network-unit coupled to terminals, and
• said second network-unit coupled to said first network-unit and to a further network,
• wherein said second network-unit comprises an in/output to be coupled to the first network-unit via a pooled connection between said first network-unit and said second network-unit,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is smaller than a sum of all terminal-capacities,
• wherein said second network-unit comprises a manager for managing said exchanging,
• wherein said manager in said second network-unit comprises a controller for controlling the capacity of said pooled connection, and
• wherein a number of connections in the pooled connection is established in relation to a number of terminals such that the number of connections in the pooled connection is smaller than the number of the terminals and bandwidth capacity of the number of connections is established in relation to bandwidth capacity of the terminals such that the bandwidth capacity of the number of connection is smaller than the bandwidth capacities of the terminals.

A method for exchanging packet signals between network-units in a network, said network comprising:

• a first network-unit coupled to terminals;
• and
• a second network-unit coupled to said first network-unit and to a further network,
• wherein said method comprises exchanging packet signals via a pooled connection between said first network-unit and said second network-unit and managing said exchanging in said second network-unit,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is smaller than a sum of all terminal-capacities,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is controlled by a manager in said second network-unit, and
• wherein a number of connections in the pooled connection is established in relation to a number of terminals such that the number of connections in the pooled connection is smaller than the number of the terminals and bandwidth capacity of the number of connections is established in relation to bandwidth capacity of the terminals such that the bandwidth capacity of the number of connection is smaller than the bandwidth capacities of the terminals.

A computer readable medium storing a program to be executed on a processor, for exchanging packet signals between network-units in a network, comprising:

• a first network-unit coupled to terminals;
• and
• a second network-unit coupled to said first network-unit and to a further network,
• wherein said processor comprises exchanging packet signals via a pooled connection between both network-units,
• wherein said exchanging is managed in said second network-unit,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection being smaller than a sum of all terminal-capacities,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is controlled by a manager in said second network-unit, and
• wherein a number of connections in the pooled connection is established in relation to a number of terminals such that the number of connections in the pooled connection is smaller than the number of the terminals and bandwidth capacity of the number of connections is established in relation to bandwidth capacity of the terminals such that the bandwidth capacity of the number of connection is smaller than the bandwidth capacities of the terminals.

A system for exchanging packet signals between network-units, the system comprising:

• a first network-unit coupled to terminals;
• a second network-unit coupled to said first network-unit and to a further network;
• and
• a pooled connection between both network-units for said exchanging of the packet signals,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is smaller than a sum of all terminal-capacities,
• wherein said second network-unit comprises a manager for managing said exchanging of packet signals,
• wherein a capacity of said pooled connection is controlled by a manager in said second network-unit, and
• wherein a number of connections in the pooled connection is established in relation to a number of terminals such that the number of connections in the pooled connection is smaller than the number of the terminals and bandwidth capacity of the number of connections is established in relation to bandwidth capacity of the terminals such that the bandwidth capacity of the number of connection is smaller than the bandwidth capacities of the terminals.