ATM edge node switching equipment utilizes an IIP-VPN function, which can achieve
a low cost VPN compared with an L2-VPN in which a user terminal is connected to
the ATM edge node switching equipment by a mesh connection. This connection is
provided, by connecting the user terminal and the ATM edge node switching equipment
with one leased line. The ATM edge node switching equipment has an IP data packet
distribution unit, which distributes each of IP data packets to each of the plural
user terminals, by utilizing a IP-VPN unit using a destination IP address of each
of the plural user terminals. The IP-VPN unit has an inputted IP data packet analyzing
section that obtains an input VC (virtual channel) number and also obtains a VPN-ID
(virtual private network-identifier) for distinguishing each of the user terminals
and a QOS (quality of service) type set by QOS information from a header part of
the IP data packet transferred from one of the user terminals. The IP-VPN device
also has a routing information retrieving section that retrieves a routing of a
VC for a destination address by using the destination IP address, the VPN-ID, and
the QOS type, and sets the routing of the VC for the destination address.