Nortel Networks Corporation

Patricia J Carstensen

Peter A Fortman

A network building system uses criteria from a potential buyer of network services operating in a communications service bidding exchange to identify one or more network segments meeting the buyer's criteria. The exchange allows buyers to purchase usage privileges on network segments operated by service providers affiliated with the exchange. A number of geographically disperse hubs affiliated with the exchange are interconnected by these network segments. Multiple network segments from different providers may interconnect any two hubs. Thus, a challenge arises when a buyer requires network services that involve multiple hubs because of the potential number of network segments involved and the range of choices for selecting a specific set of network segments meeting the buyer's needs. The network building system uses buyer criteria to identify network segments, or combinations of segments, meeting the buyer's needs. Network segment selection functions may be automatic or interactive, at the buyer's discretion.

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Durham, NC, United States of America

Patricia J Carstensen