1. A method of establishing a rate-adaptation domain in a packet network having a plurality of connected network nodes not providing rate adaptation, the method comprising: partitioning said plurality of connected network nodes into subdomains, each subdomain having connecting interfaces with at least one other subdomain; identifying rate independent connecting interfaces among said connecting interfaces wherein integrity of data transfers through said connecting interfaces is preserved independent of operating states of the subdomains; identifying at least one subdomain for which all of the connecting interfaces are the rate independent connecting interfaces; and operating said at least one subdomain as a rate independent subdomain.