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Methods and apparatus for detecting faults and restoring connections in networks including, eg, ATM networks are described. The restoration methods of the present invention can be applied on an application by application or user by user basis. In accordance with the present invention virtual connections affected by link or node failures are restored through re-routing as opposed to establishing a completely new connection between a source and a destination device. VPI/VCI values are assigned at the time of re-routing thereby avoiding the potential problem of VPI/VCI exhaus tion which may be encountered when backup VPI/VCI values are assigned at the time a communication session is initiated. The connection restoration process of the present invention is initiated by a node on the source side of a connection detecting a failure and initiating a re-routing operation or transmitting a message to the source switch …