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Abstract

A multi-class digital network is described. The network supports a plurality of digital services using dynamically-configured service bands to support various transport modes and qualities of service. A network control element receives traffic and network state information from the nodes. The network control element maintains a network topology and uses the network topology to compute route sets for the nodes. The network control element uses the traffic information to compute network size specifications. The switching nodes use rate controllers to divide the capacity of each link among the connection classes according to rules which ensure consistent service attributes for each band across the network. The rate controllers are adapted to support different transport modes and different packet sizes so that the deconstruction and reconstruction of packets at network edge devices is eliminated. The advantage is a flexible multi-class network which dynamically reconfigures to service traffic loads as service demands fluctuate.

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