Typically, paths in a network are set up via direct provisioning performed by an Element Management System/Network Management System/Operations Support System, i.e. a platform supporting multiple Wavelength Division Multiplexed spans in order to provide Network Management services/a system responsible for managing at least part of the network, and communicating with agents in order to help keep track of network resources, statistics, and performance. Alternatively, paths in the network are set up via automated nodal software that is capable of performing routing under EMS/NMS/OSS command. A relatively recent protocol, Session Initiation Protocol, has evolved for use in conjunction with multimedia devices in order to locate and connect devices together. The present invention alters the fundamental assumption that SIP is used to trigger network connections between devices, and offers a new idea that SIP can be used to tie together network equipment in a plurality of settings, such as telecommunications, cable, wireless, enterprise, etc., across different transport network technologies, including optical, Time Division Multiplexed, and packet.