A system and method of configuring a communications path in a communications network from a start node to an end node through intermediate nodes is provided by: establishing a partial path for the communications path from the start node to a terminating node in the intermediate nodes; and at the terminating node, if a communications link to a next-hop node does not exist in the intermediate nodes, then establishing the terminating node as an interim egress node for the communications path; and notifying the start node of mapping parameters for the partial communications path.