Method for transporting data, a related data transmitting element and a data receiving element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for transporting data between a data transmitting network element and a data receiving network element via a point-to-point connection in a communications network. This communications network comprises at least one transmitting network element and at least one data receiving network element. An Internet Protocol Control Protocol request for a service level of sending data is sent to the data receiving element by the data transmitting element. This Internet Protocol Control Protocol request is received by the data receiving element. The data receiving element then determines a service level based on a predetermined criterion and formulates an Internet Protocol Control Protocol propose of the service level that can be provided to the data sending element. Subsequently the Internet Protocol Control Protocol propose of the service level is sent towards the data transmitting element. The Internet Protocol Control Protocol propose including the service level propose in its turn is received by the data transmitting element and used for sending data towards the data receiving element. It is also possible to initiate the (re-)negotiation by the data receiving network element, by sending Internet Protocol Control Protocol messages to the data transmitting element. As an alternative the data transmitting element is able to notice that a provided service level is not satisfying and that it formulates another request for a service level that is satisfying for the data transmitting element. Re-negotiation of an existing service level specification is also possible by sending Internet Protocol Control Protocol messages requesting another service level specification.