Abstract: A unique RVID is used for each spoke node to identify traffic flowing from that spoke node to the hub and from the hub to the spoke. Spoke nodes perform MAC learning on any frame containing their assigned unique RVID and only bridge traffic received on the ring to a client port if the traffic contains their assigned RVID. Thus, MAC learning at the spoke is localized to client routes, or to routes of interest that pass through the hub. The hub node learns C-VID/RVID-ringport bindings for traffic on the ring. When a frame is received on the ring, the hub will use the C-VID and RVID to determine the I-SID and forward the traffic onto the external network. When a frame is received from the external network, the hub node will use the I-SID & C-VID to determine the RVID of the spoke node, and then use the C-VID & RVID to determine, from its forwarding database, which ringport should be used to output the frame.

Abstract: A system for controlling packet forwarding through a point-to-point (p2p) connection between first and second end nodes of a packet network domain having a mesh topology. The system comprises a sub-ring network instantiated in the network domain, the sub-ring network comprising a pair of topologically diverse ring spans extending between the first and second end nodes. Each of the end nodes is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the sub-ring network in accordance with a ring network routing scheme, and an intermediate node traversed by one of the ring spans is controlled to forward packets of the p2p connection through the ring span in accordance with a linear path routing scheme.

Abstract: To enable an Ethernet ring to be dual homed into a spanning tree protocol controlled Ethernet network, spanning tree control packets (Bridged Protocol Data Units or BPDUs) are transported as data frames over the Ethernet ring. This allows the Ethernet ring to appear as a single link to the spanning tree protocol so that the spanning tree can extend over the link. However, since the spanning tree does not have visibility as to the internal structure of the ring, the spanning tree cannot block links on the Ethernet ring network. Conversely, BPDUs from the Ethernet ring are not transmitted into the Ethernet domain that is implementing the spanning tree, so that the spanning tree is not affected by the control mechanism in place on the Ethernet ring network.

Abstract: Interworking an Ethernet Ring network with an Ethernet network with traffic engineered trunks (PBT network) enables traffic engineered trunks to be dual homed to the Ethernet ring network to enable for protection switching between active and backup trunk paths in the PBT network. In one embodiment, the active path will terminate at a first bridge node on the Ethernet ring network and the backup path will terminate at a second bridge node on the Ethernet ring network. Trunk state information is exchanged between the bridge nodes to enable the bridge nodes to determine which of the active and backup paths should be used to forward data on the trunk. Upon a change in trunk state, a flush message is transmitted on the Ethernet ring network to enable the nodes on the Ethernet ring network to relearn the path to the new responsible bridge node.

Abstract: A unique RVID is used for each spoke node to identify traffic flowing from that spoke node to the hub and from the hub to the spoke. Spoke nodes perform MAC learning on any frame containing their assigned unique RVID and only bridge traffic received on the ring to a client port if the traffic contains their assigned RVID. Thus, MAC learning at the spoke is localized to client routes, or to routes of interest that pass through the hub. The hub node learns C-VID/RVID-ringport bindings for traffic on the ring. When a frame is received on the ring, the hub will use the C-VID and RVID to determine the I-SID and forward the traffic onto the external network. When a frame is received from the external network, the hub node will use the I-SID & C-VID to determine the RVID of the spoke node, and then use the C-VID & RVID to determine, from its forwarding database, which ringport should be used to output the frame.

Abstract: To enable an Ethernet ring to be dual homed into a spanning tree protocol controlled Ethernet network, spanning tree control packets (Bridged Protocol Data Units or BPDUs) are transported as data frames over the Ethernet ring. This allows the Ethernet ring to appear as a single link to the spanning tree protocol so that the spanning tree can extend over the link. However, since the spanning tree does not have visibility as to the internal structure of the ring, the spanning tree cannot block links on the Ethernet ring network. Conversely, BPDUs from the Ethernet ring are not transmitted into the Ethernet domain that is implementing the spanning tree, so that the spanning tree is not affected by the control mechanism in place on the Ethernet ring network.

Abstract: Interworking an Ethernet Ring network with an Ethernet network with traffic engineered trunks (PBT network) enables traffic engineered trunks to be dual homed to the Ethernet ring network to enable for protection switching between active and backup trunk paths in the PBT network. In one embodiment, the active path will terminate at a first bridge node on the Ethernet ring network and the backup path will terminate at a second bridge node on the Ethernet ring network. Trunk state information is exchanged between the bridge nodes to enable the bridge nodes to determine which of the active and backup paths should be used to forward data on the trunk. Upon a change in trunk state, a flush message is transmitted on the Ethernet ring network to enable the nodes on the Ethernet ring network to relearn the path to the new responsible bridge node.