To provide a communication system requesting path-setting or path-deletion, under autonomous distributed control, in a separately controlled manner.

The communication system includes a plurality of nodes (nodes #1-#6) and a path management apparatus (a separate control path management apparatus 110 and a separate control path control apparatus 120) for managing a path between the nodes (#1-#6). The path management apparatus (110, 120) divides at least one of a path setting request and a path deleting request, under autonomous distributed control, into a plurality of requests for an administrative purpose. The plurality of path requests divided for the administrative purpose are then used to make at least one of the path setting request and the path deleting request.