We consider the issue of increasing the number of connections that connection or iented networks, such as ATM, can handle. We describe one step that aims at reducing connection awareness inside the netwo rk. To that end, connections between the same pair of access nodes are grouped toget her and made indistinguishable inside the network. The concept of dynamic virtual path trunks is introduced as a support mechanism, and it is shown how virtual path links can be setup and maintained without addi tional round-trip delays.