A method is devoted to setting up a connection between the first (N1) and second (N2) external nodes connected to a GMPLS control plane (RG) and each incorporating a portion (PA1,PA2) of a distributed application and a signalling module (MS1,MS2) loaded to manage the setting up of the connection. This method consists in i) generating in the first external node (N1) a first message requiring the setting up of a connection session and incorporating parameters defining the connection to be set up, then to transmit this first message to the second external node (N2) via the network (RG), ii) analysing the first message in the network (RG) in order to convert the parameters which it contains for the GMPLS control plane and to check their compatibility with other applications resident in the network and with the GMPLS control plane, iii) if they are compatible, transmitting the first message to the second external node (N2), iv) on receipt of the first message in the second external node (N2), determining whether the connection parameters which it contains are supported by its portion of the distributed application (PA2) and/or its signalling module (MS2), and v) if they are supported, transmitting a second confirmation message for setting up the session to the first external node (N1) in order that its signalling module (MS1) shall initiate setting up of the connection.