INTER-NODE SIGNALING FOR PROTOCOL INITIALIZATION WITHIN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

A protocol initialization message is generated (100) by an originating node of a communication network for transmission to each of its cooperating nodes in the network. This message identifies the communications protocols and capabilities (industry standardized and proprietary) supported by the originating node. Responsive to the protocol initialization message, cooperating nodes operate to update their data matrices (102) storing protocol and capability information for the originating node, and generate a protocol initialization response (104) for transmission back to the originating node. This response identifies the communications protocols and capabilities (industry standardized and proprietary) supported by the cooperating node. Responsive to the protocol initialization response, the originating node operates to update its data matrix (106) storing protocol and capability information for the cooperating nodes.