A system associates multiple discrete traffic flows within a computer
network into a group, and allows the traffic flows corresponding to a
given group to share a single set of resources. A sourcing entity
preferably generates a locally unique resource identifier (ID) for use in
requesting a reservation of network resources for a first traffic flow or
session. Intermediate network devices within the computer network reserve
a set of resources and associate the reservation with the specified
resource ID. The sourcing entity may then re-use this same resource ID in
a subsequent request to reserve resources for a second traffic flow or
session. The intermediate network devices determine that a reservation
made by the sourcing entity and associated with this resource ID already
exists and, rather than reserve additional or further resources for the
second traffic flow or session, share the previously reserved resources
between the two traffic flows or sessions.