The present invention provides a very simple and scalable architecture which gives a substantially optimal solution for an IP over ATM network service, by exploiting the QoS of the ATM network, providing shortcut communication when necessary, reducing connection setup delay and smoothing migration from the current deployments, while retaining simplicity. This is achieved by introducing three additional functions to the normal operation of the Classical IP model, namely: flow classification/detection, explicit indication of ATM address and QoS, to the receiver, prior to connection setup and receiver initiated connection setup. The present invention also provides, a multi-cast architecture based on an extension to the Multi-cast Address Resolution Service (MARS) architecture known from IETF.
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