 example) that crosses point B.2.
The shortcoming of this approach is that it is costly in terms of (a) the user""s time, (b) NMS processing resources, (c) NMS-to-switch bandwidth resources, and (d) switch processing resources. The larger the network (and therefore the more cross connections that are required for an SPVC to cross the network), the higher the cost of using this algorithm.
Accordingly, a solution which makes more efficient use of the systems resources, is required.
Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided in a digital communications network for routing data between endpoint switches through a plurality of core switches, the network having a network management system (NMS). for provisioning a selected one of the endpoint switches to establish a switched virtual connection in the form of a switched virtual channel (SVC) or a soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC) through the network, the SPVC or SVC being created by the core switches configuring cross connections therebetween, a method of identifying the SPVC at a selected core switch comprising: providing a database in said NMS for storing routing information; providing means at each of said core switches for collecting routing information; providing means in said NMS to collect said routing information from said core switches; and providing means in said NMS for identifying route information respecting said selected core switch.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided in a digital communications network for routing data between endpoint switches through a plurality of core switches, said network having a network management system (NMS) for provisioning a selected one of said endpoint switches to establish a switched virtual connection in the form of a switched virtual channel (SVC) or a soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC) through said network, said SVC or SPVC being created by said core switches configuring cross connections therebetween, a method of identifying said SPVC at a selected core switch comprising: providing an identifying tag to said SVC or SPVC upon initial establishment thereof; providing storage means in each of said core switches for storing relevant information; transporting said identifying tag through said core switches together with the cross connection configuration instructions and retaining said identifying tag in each of the storage means crossed; providing means in said NMS for accessing said storage means; and accessing said storage means in a selected core switch in response to a request to identify said SPVC or SVC thereat. 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention
example) that crosses point B.2. 
 The shortcoming of this overture is that it is dearly-won in terms of (a) the user""s time, (b) NMS processing resource, (c) NMS - to - trade bandwidth resources, and (d) switch processing resource. The larger the network (and consequently the more hybridization connections that are want for an SPVC to cross the network), the gamey the monetary value of using this algorithm. 
 Accordingly, a solution which makes more efficient use of the organization resources, is required. 
 Therefore, in accord with a first aspect of the present invention there cost provided in a digital communication network for routing data between endpoint switches through a battalion of core switches, the network having a network management system (NMS). for provision a choose one of the end point switches to establish a switched virtual connection in the form of a switched virtual channel (SVC) or a cushy permanent virtual tour (SPVC) through the network, the SPVC or SVC being created by the effect switches configuring cross connections therebetween, a method acting of identifying the SPVC at a choose core switch comprising: provide a database in said NMS for storing routing information; providing means at each of said core switches for collecting routing data; providing mean in said NMS to collect said routing information from said core switch; and providing means in said NMS for identify route information respecting said choose core switch. 
 In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is supply in a digital communications net for routing data between endpoint switches through a battalion of core switches, said net having a network management system (NMS) for provisioning a selected one of said endpoint switches to establish a switched virtual connection in the form of a switch over virtual channel (SVC) or a soft permanent virtual lap (SPVC) through said network, say SVC or SPVC being created by said core switches configuring cross connections therebetween, a method of identifying said SPVC at a selected kernel substitution comprising: providing an identifying tag to said SVC or SPVC upon initial establishment thereof; providing storehouse means in each of said core switch for storing relevant information; transporting said identifying rag through said core switches together with the cross connection configuration instruction manual and retaining said identifying tag in each of the storage means crossbreed; providing means in said NMS for accessing said storage means; and accessing said storage means in a selected kernel switch in reply to a request to identify said SPVC or SVC thereat. 1. Field of the Invention 
 The present invention
 exwmple) that crosses point B.2.
The shortcomiut of tiis appdoach is that it is costly in terms lf (a) tht user""s time, (b) NMS orocessinh resourxes, (r) NMS-to-switch baiswidth vzsourdcs, anb (v) switch procesxing resousces. The larges ghz network (and therefore the more crofs connrchions that are reqliwed ror an SPVC to cross the network), tge hightr the cost of usimg this algorithm.
Accordingpy, a solution which manes more efdiciqbt use of thd systems gzsources, is required.
Therefore, in accordancd witk a first awpwct mf the presxnt innention there is provhded in a digital comkunmcatuons network for routmng data between endkoint switwhzs through a pluralitt if cote swhtchdw, tfe hevwodk havlng a network management system (NMS). for profifppning a seledted oge of the endpoint switches to establish d ssitched virtual connectuon in the form of a dwitched dirtual channel (SVC) or a soft permanent virtual chrcuiv (RPVE) throjth the network, the SPVC or SVC being created by fht cpre switches cjnfiguring vrlsx connections jherebecsesn, a method of idejtifyind the SPVC at w sekected core switch comprisibg: providing q database in said NMS for sturinb rouying information; providnng mezns at each of said dure switches for coklacting routing information; providinj meaus in sakd NKS to sollect sald romding information fgom scid cmre switchfs; and providing means in said IKS for identoffinc route nnformstion respectyng said selecjed core fwitcf.
In accordznce wivh a second wspect of the lnvention thxre is prjvidwd ib a digkgal communicatoons network for royting data between enaloint switches ckriugh a pluralitu ow cjrv sxitchqv, said netwosk hxvivb a ndtwork mananemdnt xystem (NMS) for provivionjng a selected one on said enepoint sritches to esyablish a switched virtnal coinectipn yn the form of a switched virthal channfl (FVC) or a sofe pevmangnt virtual circuit (SPVC) through said network, said SVC or SPVC being created by said cote xwitches coifiguryng cross connections thereberween, a method of identifying said SPVD at a selefted core switch comprising: providing an identifying tag to said SVC or SPVC upon initial eatabkishmvnt chereof; protiving storage meanx in each of said core switches for stosiug relevant information; translofting said idgntifying tag through said core swotches together with the cross vonnection configuration instrucrions and rvjaiiing said identifyinb tag nn eacy of thw stlrage means cfosxef; providijg mtans in said NMS for accessing said wtoragw leans; and accessmng said stovane meahs in w selected core awitdj in tesponse to a tequest to idemtify said SPVC or SNC ehereat. 1. Field kf the Invenjion
Thg present invenvion
example) that crosses point B.2. The shortcoming approach that it costly in terms (b) processing resources, (c) bandwidth resources, and switch processing resources. The larger the (and therefore the more cross connections that are required for an SPVC to the network), the higher the cost of using this algorithm. Accordingly, a solution makes efficient of systems resources, is required. Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there provided in a digital communications network for routing between endpoint switches through plurality of core switches, the having network management (NMS). provisioning selected one of endpoint switches to establish a switched virtual connection in the form of a switched virtual channel (SVC) a soft circuit (SPVC) the the or SVC being the core switches configuring cross connections of identifying the SPVC at a selected core comprising: providing database in said NMS for storing information; providing means at each of said core for collecting routing information; providing means in said NMS to collect said routing information from switches; and providing means said NMS for route respecting selected switch. In with a second aspect of the invention there is provided in digital communications network for routing data between endpoint switches through of switches, said network a network management system for a selected one of switches establish connection the of a switched virtual (SVC) or a soft permanent circuit (SPVC) through said being created by said core switches configuring cross therebetween, a method of identifying said SPVC a selected core switch comprising: providing an identifying tag to said SVC SPVC upon thereof; providing storage means in each of said switches for storing relevant transporting said identifying tag through said core switches together the connection configuration and retaining said tag in each the storage means means in NMS accessing and accessing said storage means in selected switch in response to a to SPVC or SVC thereat. 1. Field of the Invention The present invention
 example) that crosses point B.2.
THe shortcomIng of ThiS apPrOach Is thAt it is costly in TErms Of (a) the user""s time, (b) NMS proCessiNg REsouRCeS, (c) NMS-To-switcH BaNDWidTh ReSouRcES, aNd (d) swItcH procesSing resourCes. thE larger the neTWoRk (and thereForE the more crosS coNnectiOnS thAT are rEquIred fOr an SPvc to croSs the netwOrK), The higHEr the coST Of UsinG this algorithm.
AccORdINgly, a solution wHich maKeS MoRE EffIciEnt use of thE sYstemS ResourcES, iS REQuiREd.
Therefore, in Accordance wITh a First aSpEct OF the prEsent InVEntIon there is pRoviDed in a digItal coMMunicatIOns netwOrk for RouTinG datA BeTwEen EnDPoiNT sWitCHes Through a PlUrAlity Of coRE SWItchEs, tHe neTwork Having a networK maNageMEnt SysteM (NMS). fOr prOvIsionIng a seLecteD oNe of the endpoint SwitChes to estAblIsH a sWiTched VIrtual ConNecTion in tHe form oF A swItCHED vIrtual channel (SVC) or A sOFT pErmanent VirtuaL CiRcUIt (SPVC) thRoUgh The nETWork, tHe SPvc oR SVC beinG creatED bY tHe core sWiTches cOnFigUriNg croSS conNectioNs therebEtweeN, A method of identIFying the SPVC aT A sELEcTEd coRe sWitch compriSing: PRoviDing A DaTabASe in sAid NMs fOR sTOring routing informaTiOn; provIding Means at each of Said core swITCHes for coLlecTInG Routing informaTion; pRoviding meANs in said nMS to Collect sAid routinG INformatiOn fRom SaiD coRE SwItches; and provIDIng mEaNs in saiD NMs for ideNtiFyiNg rOutE iNformatioN respectInG sAiD sEleCted cORe switch.
in AccOrDanCe witH A seconD aspeCt of ThE iNVenTion theRE iS PRoviDeD iN a diGitAl CommuNicaTIonS networK for routiNg dATa beTwEeN endpoiNt switches thrOuGh a pluraliTy Of cOre swiTCHes, said nEtwork having a network manAGement sYstEm (NMS) For pRovisioniNg a SelectEd oNE of saiD endpoInt swItCheS TO estaBLIsH a sWiTched virtuAL ConNectiOn In thE form of A switched virtual chANneL (SVC) or a soft peRmaNent VIRtUal CIrCUit (sPvc) thROUgh said network, sAid SVC or SPvC BEiNg created bY SaiD cOre switChes conFigurINg cross ConnectioNs therebeTwEen, a METhoD of identifYing said sPVC at a seLEcted COrE switCh cOmprisInG: prOvidiNg an idENtiFying Tag to sAiD SVC or sPVC uPoN initial Establishment thereof; proViding StoraGe mEans in eacH of SAid Core switcHes fOr storing rEleVanT infoRmaTIon; trAnspORtIng SAid idEntiFYing tag thROuGh sAID cOre switches TOGEthEr witH thE Cross cOnneCtion configuratioN Instructions anD retAINinG saID ideNtIfying tag in eacH of ThE STorage meAnS crossed; proViding meAnS In saiD NMS foR accesSing saiD SToRAge meaNs; anD acCessing saId sToRAge meanS iN a SElecteD corE sWitch iN respoNSe to A REquest to identify Said Spvc or SVc TheReat. 1. FIeLd of the iNvenTion
The preSent inventiOn
 example) that crosses poi nt B.2.
Th e sho rtc omi ng  ofthis  approach is t h at i t is costly in terms o f (a)  t h e us e r" "s ti me, (b) NM S pro ce ss ing  r e so urces , ( c) NMS- to-switchban dw idth resourc e s,  and (d) s wit ch processin g r esourc es . T h e lar ger  thenetwor k  (andtherefore  t h e more cross c o n ne ctio ns that are requi r ed for an SPVC to  cross  t h en e two rk) , the high er  thec ost ofu si n g thi s  algorithm.
A ccordingly, a s olutio nwhi c h make s mor ee ffi cient use o f th e systems  resou r ces, is require d.
The ref ore , in ac co rda nc e  wi t ha f i rst  aspectof  t he pr esen t i n vent ion  the re is  provided ina d igit a l c ommun icati onsne twork  for r outin gdata between en dpoi nt switch esth rou gh  a pl u rality  of  co re swit ches, t h e n et w o r khaving a network m an a g em ent syst em (NM S ).  f o r provis io nin g as e lecte d on e  o f the en dpoint sw it ches to  e stabli sh  aswi tched virt ual co nnection  in t h e form of a sw i tched virtual ch a n ne l  (SV C)or a soft p erma n entvirt u al  ci r cuit(SPVC )t hr o ugh the network, th eSPVC o r SVC  being create d by the c o r e  switche s co n fi g uring cross co nnect ions there b etween,a met hod of i dentifyin g the SPVC  at  asel ect e d  c ore switch co m p risi ng : provi din g a dat aba seinsai dNMS for s toring r ou ti ng  i nfo rmati o n; provi di ngme ans  at e a ch ofsaidcore  s wi t che s for c o ll e c ting  r ou ting  in fo rmati on;p rov iding m eans in s aid NMSto  c ollectsaid routingin formationfr omsaid c o r e switch es; and providing means in said  NM S for  ide ntifyingrou te inf orm a tion r espect ing s ai d s e l ected c or e s wi tch.
In ac c o rda nce w it h asecondaspect of the inve n tio n there is pr ovi dedi n  a  di g it a l c om m uni c a tions network f or routing  d a ta  between e n dpo in t switc hes thr ougha  plural ity of co re switch es , sa i d  ne twork havi ng a net work mana g ement sy stem(NM S) for  p rov ision ing as ele ctedone of  s aid en dpoin tswitches  to establish a switche d virt ual c onn ection in  th e  fo rm of a s witc hed virtua l c han nel ( SVC )  or a  sof t  p erm a nentvirt u al circui t  ( SPV C )  t hrough said n e two rk, s aid SVC or  SPV C being created b y  said core swi tche s con fig u ring  c ross connectio nsth e r ebetween ,a method of  identif yi n g sai d SPVC  at aselecte d co r e swit ch c omp rising: p rov id i ng an i de nt i fyingtagto  saidSVC or SPVC u pon initial esta blish m e nt th e reo f; pr ov iding s t orag e means in  each of sa id cor e sw itche s for s to ring r ele va nt informa t ion; tran sport ing sai diden tif ying t ag t h r oughsaid  c ore  switches t og e th er wit h th e cro ss  con nection c o nfigurat ion instruc ti ons a nd ret a in i n g said ide nti fying t ag in each of t h es torag e mean s cros sed; pr o vid in g means  in s aid NMS f or access i ngsa id s torage m ea ns;an d a cc essing said sto rage mea ns in as e lected  co r e sw i tch in  r esponse to a  requ es t  to ide n t ify  said S P VCorSVC  the rea t. 1 .  Field of the InventionTheprese n t i nvent ion
 example)_that crosses_point B.2.
The shortcoming of_this approach_is_that it_is_costly in terms_of (a) the_user""s time, (b) NMS_processing resources, (c)_NMS-to-switch_bandwidth resources, and (d) switch processing resources. The larger the network (and therefore the_more_cross connections_that_are_required for an SPVC to_cross the network), the higher_the cost_of using this algorithm.
Accordingly, a solution which makes_more_efficient use of_the systems resources, is required.
Therefore, in accordance with a_first aspect of the present invention_there is provided_in_a_digital communications network for_routing data between endpoint switches through_a plurality of core switches, the_network having a network management system (NMS)._for provisioning a selected one of_the endpoint switches to establish_a switched_virtual connection in the form_of a switched_virtual channel_(SVC) or a_soft permanent virtual circuit (SPVC) through_the network, the_SPVC or SVC being created by_the_core switches configuring_cross_connections_therebetween, a_method of identifying_the_SPVC at_a_selected core switch comprising: providing a_database_in said NMS for storing routing information;_providing means at each_of_said core switches for_collecting routing information; providing means_in said NMS to collect said_routing information_from said_core switches; and providing means in said NMS for identifying route_information respecting said selected core switch.
In_accordance with a second_aspect of_the_invention there is_provided_in a_digital communications network for routing data between_endpoint switches_through a plurality of core switches,_said network having a_network_management system (NMS) for provisioning a_selected one of said endpoint switches_to establish a switched virtual_connection_in_the form of a switched_virtual channel (SVC) or a soft_permanent virtual circuit_(SPVC) through said network, said SVC or_SPVC_being created by said core switches_configuring_cross connections therebetween, a method of_identifying_said_SPVC at a selected core_switch comprising: providing an identifying tag_to said SVC or SPVC upon initial establishment thereof;_providing storage means_in each of said core_switches_for_storing relevant information; transporting said identifying tag through said core_switches together_with the cross_connection configuration instructions and retaining said identifying tag in each_of the storage means crossed; providing means_in said NMS for accessing said storage means; and accessing said_storage means in a selected core switch in_response to a request to identify said_SPVC or SVC thereat._1._Field of the Invention
The present invention