Bandwidth management processes and systems for asynchronous transfer mode networks using variable virtual paths

• US 6,097,722 A
• Filed: 12/13/1996
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
• Inventors: Holmes, Kim, Graham, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US08/768,022
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 370/379, 370/409, 370/419, 370/468, 370/229, 370/230, 370/235, 370/252, 370/395, 370/396, 370/399, 370/400, 370/465
• US Class Current: 370/395.21
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5602 Bandwidth control in ATM Networks, e.g. leaky bucket
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5621 Virtual private network [VPN]; Private-network - network-interface (P-NNI)
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5624 Path aspects, e.g. path bundling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5632 Bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A system comprises a first asynchronous transfer mode switch, a second asynchronous transfer mode switch, and a system control module. The first asynchronous transfer mode switch and the second asynchronous transfer mode switch are interconnected with one another via a physical interface. The first asynchronous transfer mode switch is in communication with the with the second asynchronous transfer mode switch via a virtual connection on the physical interface. The virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth. The system control module is in communication with the first asynchronous transfer mode switch. The system control module is in communication with the second asynchronous transfer mode switch via the first asynchronous transfer mode switch and the physical interface. The system control module dynamically controls the corresponding bandwidth of the virtual connection over time. The system control module is centralized for the first asynchronous transfer mode switch and the second asynchronous transfer mode switch. The physical interface has a corresponding utilization level and further wherein the system control module periodicallly and continuouly checks the utilization level to determine what the corresponding bandwidth should be. A process comprises creating at least one virtual path extending from a first location to a second location through at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch for a customer in response to a customer request, selectively destroying at least one selected virtual channel of the at least one virtual channel of the virtual path as needed, checking each selected virtual channel of the at least one virtual channel that is created with the connection admission control module of each asynchronous transfer mode switch that the virtual path extend through to determine whether the selected virtual channel will fit in the virtual path, and checking the customer contract and the time of day to determine necessary adjustments.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form a network, each physical interface of said at least one physical interface extending from one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to another interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches;

(b) at least one virtual connection connecting one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via one physical interface of said at least one physical interface, wherein each virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module connected to at least one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches, said system control module in communication with each interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via said at least one physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said system control module is centralized for said system, further wherein said system control module on an ongoing basis determines whether said network is in an overload condition and said system control module also checks said overload condition and determines what said bandwidth of said virtual connection should be.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches has a connection admission control module to determine whether said virtual connection can be connected through that particular interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches.

3. The system of claim 1, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and said system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of each virtual connection of said at least one virtual connection.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said system control module considers at least one factor to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of each virtual connection of said at least one virtual connections, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement covering said virtual connection, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection, existing traffic load of said network, utilization of said network, and date and time of day that each virtual connection of said at least one virtual connections will occur.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said physical interface is selected from a group consisting of fiber optic, twisted pair, coax, and wireless.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said specific type of information includes information selected from a group consisting of constant bit rate information, voice information, video information, variable bit rate information, data information, connection-oriented information, frame-relay information, and connectionless information.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said virtual connection is selected from a group consisting of virtual paths, groupings of virtual paths, and virtual channels and any combination of virtual paths and virtual channels.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said network having a utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said utilization level.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein said virtual connection is comprised of at least one virtual path group and each virtual path group of said at least one virtual path group is comprised of at least one virtual path and further wherein each virtual path group has a first utilization level and each virtual path has a second utilization level and said system control module checks said second utilization level of each virtual path in one virtual path group and then said first utilization level of said virtual path group.

10. The system of claim 1, further wherein said system control module also dynamically determines when to set up said at least one virtual connection.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said second time of day is between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

15. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch;

(b) a second asynchronous transfer mode switch that is interconnected with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, said system control module is centralized for said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said second asynchronous transfer mode switch, wherein said physical interface has a corresponding utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said utilization level to determine what said corresponding bandwidth should be.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said first asynchronous transfer mode switch has a first connection admission control module therein to determine whether said virtual connection can be connected through said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said second asynchronous transfer mode switch has a second connection admission control module therein to determine whether said virtual connection can be connected through said second asynchronous transfer mode switch.

17. The system of claim 15, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein said system control module considers at least one factor to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement covering said virtual connection, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection, existing traffic load of said network, utilization of said network, and date and time of day said virtual connection occurs.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein said system control module on an on-going basis determines whether said physical link is in an overload condition and said system control module also checks said overload condition and determines what corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection should have.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein said physical interface is selected from a group consisting of fiber optic, twisted pair, coax, and wireless.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein said various types of information includes information selected from a group consisting of constant bit rate information, voice information, video information, variable bit rate information, data information, connection-oriented information, frame-relay information, and connectionless information.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein said virtual connection is comprised of at least one virtual path group and each virtual path group of said at least one virtual path group is comprised of at least one virtual path and further wherein each virtual path group has a first utilization level and each virtual path has a second utilization level and said system control module checks said second utilization level of each virtual path in one virtual path group and then said first utilization level of said virtual path group.

23. The system of claim 15, further wherein said system control module also dynamically determines when to set up said at least one virtual connection.

24. The system of claim 15, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein said second time of day is between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

90. The system of claim 15, wherein said virtual connection is selected from a group consisting of virtual paths and virtual channels and any combination of virtual paths and virtual channels.

28. A system of monitoring use of a network, said network used to transfer information from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form said network, a virtual path connects from one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via a link of said at least one physical interface, said virtual path has a corresponding bandwidth, said virtual path is comprised of at least one virtual channel, wherein each virtual channel has a channel utilization level and each virtual path has a path utilization level, said channel utilization levels of each virtual channel in a virtual path are combined to form said path utilization level; and

(b) a system control module connected to at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches and when a user requests an additional virtual channel to be created in a virtual path, said system control module checks said channel utilization level of each virtual channel of said virtual path to determine whether additional bandwidth is needed by said virtual path in order for said virtual channel to be created and if said additional bandwidth is needed, said system control module adds additional bandwidth to said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual path, wherein said system control module utilizes unspecified capacity of another virtual path to provide said additional bandwidth.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein a client is allowed to utilized said network under certain conditions, and further wherein said system control module compares a request from said client to use said virtual connection with a contract with said client having terms and conditions governing said client'"'"'s use of said network to determine whether said request of said client is compliant with said terms and conditions found in said contract.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein system control module considers at least one factor to determine whether said virtual path grouping or said virtual channel can be formed, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement having terms and conditions covering a client'"'"'s unspecified capacity on said physical interface, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection.

31. A process of managing a selected parameter of a virtual path and at least one virtual channel, said virtual path having a virtual path, wherein customer step has a time of day and further wherein said virtual path having said at least one virtual channel has a customer contract governing an allotment of said selected parameter, comprising:

(a) creating at least one virtual path for a customer in response to a customer request, said virtual path extending from a first location to a second location through at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch, each asynchronous transfer mode switch of said at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch having a connection admission control module to manage the access of a virtual path to that specific asynchronous transfer mode switch, said virtual path having a first bandwidth for a first traffic type at a first time of day and said virtual path having a second bandwidth for a first traffic type at a second time of day;

(b) selectively creating and selectively destroying at least one selected virtual channel of said at least one virtual channel of said virtual path as needed, wherein each selected virtual channel of said at least one virtual channel that is created in said virtual path;

(c) checking each selected virtual channel of said at least one virtual channel that has is created with said connection admission control module of each asynchronous transfer mode switch that said virtual path extend through to determine whether said selected virtual channel will fit in said virtual path; and

(d) checking said customer contract and said time of day to determine whether adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is permitted.

32. The process of claim 31, further comprising:

(e) checking whether said at least one selected virtual channel fits inside said virtual path if adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is permitted.

33. The process of claim 32, further comprising:

(f) returning to step (b) if adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is not permitted.

34. The process of claim 32, further comprising:

(f) calculating a total of said selected parameter for every virtual channel of said virtual path and comparing said total to a defined total in said customer contract for said time of day.

35. The process of claim 32, further comprising:

(f) deleting at least one virtual channel if necessary for said requested virtual channel to be created.

36. The process of claim 35, further comprising:

(g) resizing said virtual path to conform with said customer contract value for said current time of day.

37. The process of claim 32, further comprising:

(f) resizing said virtual path to conform with said customer contract value for said current time of day is said selected virtual channel fits inside said virtual path.

38. The process of claim 31, wherein said selected parameter is bandwidth.

39. The process of claim 31, wherein a customer makes said customer request and said customer performs step (b).

40. The process of claim 31, wherein a bandwidth manager module automatically performs step (b).

41. A process of managing a selected parameter of a virtual path and at least one virtual channel, said virtual path having a virtual path, comprising:

(a) creating at least one virtual path for a customer in response to a customer request, said virtual path extending from a first location to a second location through at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch, each asynchronous transfer mode switch of said at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch having a connection admission control module to manage the access of a virtual path to that specific asynchronous transfer mode switch, said virtual path having a first bandwidth for a first traffic type at a first time of day and said virtual path having a second bandwidth for a first traffic type at a second time of day;

(b) selectively creating at least one selected virtual channel of said at least one virtual channel of said virtual path in said virtual path;

(c) checking each selected virtual channel of said at least one virtual channel that has is created with said connection admission control module of each asynchronous transfer mode switch that said virtual path extend through to determine whether said selected virtual channel will fit in said virtual path;

(d) checking a customer contract and a time of day to determine whether adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is permitted, wherein customer contract provides information when said virtual path is permitted to be created;

(e) checking whether said at least one selected virtual channel fits inside said virtual path if adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is permitted;

(f) calculating a total of said selected parameter for every virtual channel of said virtual path and comparing said total to a defined total in said customer contract for said time of day;

(g) deleting at least one virtual channel if necessary for said requested virtual channel to be created; and

(h) resizing said virtual path to conform with said customer contract value for said current time of day.

42. The process of claim 41, further comprising:

(i) resizing said virtual path to conform with said customer contract value for said current time of day is said selected virtual channel fits inside said virtual path.

43. The process of claim 41, further comprising:

(i) returning to step (b) if adjusting said selected parameter of said virtual path is not permitted.

44. The process of claim 41, wherein said selected parameter is bandwidth.

45. A system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form a network, each physical interface of said at least one physical interface extending from one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to another interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches;

(b) at least one virtual connection connecting one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via one physical interface of said at least one physical interface, wherein each virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module connected to at least one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches, said system control module in communication with each interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via said at least one physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said at least one virtual connection, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and said system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of each virtual connection of said at least one virtual connection, wherein said network having a utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said utilization level.

46. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch;

(b) a second asynchronous transfer mode switch that is interconnected with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection, wherein said physical interface has a corresponding utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said utilization level to determine what said corresponding bandwidth should be.

47. A system, comprising:

(a) a first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch that is adapted to be interconnected with at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface to form a network, said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch also adapted to communicate with at least one virtual connection, said virtual connection extending between said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch and said at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via said at least one physical interface, wherein said virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(b) a system control module in communication with said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said system control module is centralized for said system, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and said system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch has a connection admission control module to determine whether said virtual connection can be connected through said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein said system control module considers at least one factor to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement covering said virtual connection, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection, existing traffic load of said network, utilization of said network, and date and time of day that each virtual connection will occur.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein said physical interface is selected from a group consisting of fiber optic, twisted pair, coax, and wireless.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein said specific type of information includes information selected from a group consisting of constant bit rate information, voice information, video information, variable bit rate information, data information, connection-oriented information, frame-relay information, and connectionless information.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein said virtual connection is selected from a group consisting of virtual paths, groupings of virtual paths, and virtual channels and any combination of virtual paths and virtual channels.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein said network having a utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said utilization level.

54. The system of claim 47, wherein said virtual connection is comprised of at least one virtual path group and each virtual path group of said at least one virtual path group is comprised of at least one virtual path and further wherein each virtual path group has a first utilization level and each virtual path has a second utilization level and said system control module checks said second utilization level of each virtual path in one virtual path group and then said first utilization level of said virtual path group.

55. The system of claim 47, further wherein said system control module also dynamically determines when to set up said virtual connection.

56. The system of claim 47, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said corresponding bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said corresponding bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

59. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch adapted to be interconnected with a second asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch adapted to be in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth, said corresponding bandwidth having a size; and

(b) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said physical interface has a corresponding utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said corresponding utilization level to determine said size of said corresponding bandwidth should be.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch has a connection admission control module to determine whether said virtual connection can be connected through said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch.

61. The system of claim 59, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and said system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein said system control module considers at least one factor to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement covering said virtual connection, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection, existing traffic load of said network, utilization of said network, and date and time of day that each virtual connection will occur.

63. The system of claim 59, wherein said physical interface is selected from a group consisting of fiber optic, twisted pair, coax, and wireless.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein said specific type of information includes information selected from a group consisting of constant bit rate information, voice information, video information, variable bit rate information, data information, connection-oriented information, frame-relay information, and connectionless information.

65. The system of claim 59, wherein said virtual connection is selected from a group consisting of virtual paths, groupings of virtual paths, and virtual channels and any combination of virtual paths and virtual channels.

66. The system of claim 59, wherein said network having a network utilization level and further wherein said system control module periodically and continuously checks said network utilization level.

67. The system of claim 59, wherein said virtual connection is comprised of at least one virtual path group and each virtual path group of said at least one virtual path group is comprised of at least one virtual path and further wherein each virtual path group has a first utilization level and each virtual path has a second utilization level and said system control module checks said second utilization level of each virtual path in one virtual path group and then said first utilization level of said virtual path group.

68. The system of claim 59, further wherein said system control module also dynamically determines when to set up said at least one virtual connection.

69. The system of claim 59, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

72. A system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form a network, each physical interface of said at least one physical interface extending from one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to another interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches;

(b) at least one virtual connection connecting one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via one physical interface of said at least one physical interface, wherein each virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module connected to at least one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches, said system control module in communication with each interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via said at least one physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said system control module is centralized for said system, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and said system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of each virtual connection of said at least one virtual connection.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said specific type of information includes information selected from a group consisting of constant bit rate information, voice information, video information, variable bit rate information, data information, connection-oriented information, frame-relay information, and connectionless information.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein said virtual connection is comprised of at least one virtual path group and each virtual path group of said at least one virtual path group is comprised of at least one virtual path and further wherein each virtual path group has a first utilization level and each virtual path has a second utilization level and said system control module checks said second utilization level of each virtual path in one virtual path group and then said first utilization level of said virtual path group.

75. A system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form a network, each physical interface of said at least one physical interface extending from one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to another interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches;

(b) at least one virtual connection connecting one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via one physical interface of said at least one physical interface, wherein each virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module connected to at least one interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches, said system control module in communication with each interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via said at least one physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said system control module is centralized for said system, further wherein said system control module also dynamically determines when to set up said at least one virtual connection and said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

78. The system of claim 76, wherein said second time of day is between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

79. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch;

(b) a second asynchronous transfer mode switch that is interconnected with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, said system control module is centralized for said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said second asynchronous transfer mode switch, further wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a specific type of information and system control module considers said specific time of day and said specific type of information to determine how large to make said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection.

80. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch;

(b) a second asynchronous transfer mode switch that is interconnected with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, said system control module is centralized for said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said second asynchronous transfer mode switch, wherein said system control module on an on-going basis determines whether said physical link is in an overload condition and said system control module also checks said overload condition and determines what corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection should have.

81. A system, comprising:

(a) a first asynchronous transfer mode switch;

(b) a second asynchronous transfer mode switch that is interconnected with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface, said first asynchronous transfer mode switch in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said a virtual connection on said physical interface, said virtual connection having a corresponding bandwidth; and

(c) a system control module in communication with said first asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said second asynchronous transfer mode switch via said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, said system control module is centralized for said first asynchronous transfer mode switch and said second asynchronous transfer mode switch, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

83. The system of claim 81, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.

84. The system of claim 81, wherein said second time of day is between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

85. A system of monitoring use of a network, said network used to transfer information from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form said network, a virtual path connects from one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via a link of said at least one physical interface, said virtual path has a corresponding bandwidth, said virtual path is comprised of at least one virtual channel, wherein each virtual channel has a channel utilization level and each virtual path has a path utilization level, said channel utilization levels of each virtual channel in a virtual path are combined to form said path utilization level; and

(b) a system control module connected to at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches and when a user requests an additional virtual channel to be created in a virtual path, said system control module checks said channel utilization level of each virtual channel of said virtual path to determine whether additional bandwidth is needed by said virtual path in order for said virtual channel to be created and if said additional bandwidth is needed, said system control module adds additional bandwidth to said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual path, wherein a client is allowed to utilized said network under certain conditions, and further wherein said system control module compares a request from said client to use said virtual connection with a contract with said client having terms and conditions governing said client'"'"'s use of said network to determine whether said request of said client is compliant with said terms and conditions found in said contract.

86. A system of monitoring use of a network, said network used to transfer information from a first location to a second location, comprising:

(a) a plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches that are interconnected with one another via at least one physical interface to form said network, a virtual path connects from one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches to at least one other asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches via a link of said at least one physical interface, said virtual path has a corresponding bandwidth, said virtual path is comprised of at least one virtual channel, wherein each virtual channel has a channel utilization level and each virtual path has a path utilization level, said channel utilization levels of each virtual channel in a virtual path are combined to form said path utilization level; and

(b) a system control module connected to at least one asynchronous transfer mode switch of said plurality of interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switches and when a user requests an additional virtual channel to be created in a virtual path, said system control module checks said channel utilization level of each virtual channel of said virtual path to determine whether additional bandwidth is needed by said virtual path in order for said virtual channel to be created and if said additional bandwidth is needed, said system control module adds additional bandwidth to said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual path, wherein system control module considers at least one factor to determine whether said virtual path grouping or said virtual channel can be formed, said at least one factor is selected from a group consisting of terms and conditions of a network contract agreement having terms and conditions covering a client'"'"'s unspecified capacity on said physical interface, type of information that said virtual connection will transfer, quality of service expected of said virtual connection, existing traffic load of said network and utilization of said network.

87. A system, comprising:

(a) a first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch that is adapted to be interconnected with at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via a physical interface to form a network, said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch also adapted to communicate with at least one virtual connection, said virtual connection extending between said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch and said at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via said at least one physical interface, wherein said virtual connection has a corresponding bandwidth; and

(b) a system control module in communication with said first interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch, said system control module in communication with said at least one other second interconnected asynchronous transfer mode switch via said physical interface, said system control module dynamically controls said corresponding bandwidth of said virtual connection over time, wherein said system control module is centralized for said system, wherein said virtual connection is requested to occur at a specific time of day and is adapted to transfer a requested type of information and system control module determines whether said requested type of information is a first type of information or a second type of information and if said requested type of information is said first type of information said system control module adjusts said corresponding bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at said specific time of day, and if said requested type of information is said second type of information said system control module adjusts said corresponding bandwidth and sets up said virtual connection at a second time of day.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein said first type of information is voice information and said second type of information is data information.

89. The system of claim 88, wherein said second time of day is nighttime.