Method and apparatus for ATM address resolution

In a generic, end-to-end address resolution methodology, destination addresses in one format are translated into local addresses of different formats for purposes of routing calls across a plurality of interconnected networks which use different address formats. Translation of addresses is accomplished through either database query or by conversion algorithm. To facilitate routing across a particular network, the signaling message of the call is repacked with the local address as the routing address. The original destination address is preserved and carried transparently across that network. The signaling message is then repacked with the destination address as the routing address. Bi-level addressing schemes are supported, so that a network-level destination address and user-level destination address may both be carried transparently across a particular network.