Abstract: A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for distributing layer-2 VPN information are disclosed. The apparatus is incorporated in a network, and the network includes a first carrier network. The first carrier network is employed by a layer-1 VPN service provider. Layer-1 VPN information is created within the first carrier network. The network also includes a second carrier network. The second carrier network is employed by a different service provider. Layer-2 VPN information is created within the second carrier network. A BGP session is used in transmitting layer-2 VPN information from the second carrier network to the first carrier network.

Abstract: A generalized Layer-2 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for layer-2 and/or layer-1 VPNs. The generalized Layer-2 VPN includes mechanisms which provide simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing pseudo-wire connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider's network. The generalized Layer-2 VPN is particularly useful for overcoming the need for customers to be restricted to a particular transport or technology used within the provider network.

Abstract: To allow seamless interworking between an 802.1ah service instance (ISID) and a VPLS service instance, the AGI value used to signal the setup of the pseudowire portion of the VPLS may carry the ISID value of an associated 802.1ah service instance. This allows the service instance to be identified end-to-end across the Ethernet and VPLS networks using the same value without modifying how the MPLS network operates. The VPLS network will use AGI/AII signaling to set up pseudowires on the MPLS network, but instead of using an AGI value assigned by the MPLS network, the AGI value that is assigned will be taken from the ISID value of the Ethernet frame or from ISIDs registered by the Ethernet network. The AGI message may be given a new type value indicating that the AGI message carries a value that corresponds to the ISID value on an attached Ethernet network.

Abstract: A technique for resource distribution using an auto-discovery mechanism for Provider-Provisioned Layer-2 and Layer-3 Virtual Private Networks. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for establishing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel between a first provider edge (PE) device and a second (PE) device of a provider-provisioned VPN. The method may comprise advertising at least one tunnel-based parameter to one or more PE devices over a network backbone using an auto-discovery mechanism, the one or more PE devices including at least one of the first and second PE devices. The method further may comprise configuring a VPN tunnel between the first and second PE devices based at least in part on the at least one tunnel-based parameter.

Abstract: A Layer-2.5 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for switched Layer2VPN combined with a subset of Layer-3 VPNs. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPN includes logical ports of two types, customer and provider, and port information tables, and uses Layer-3 mechanisms to distribute customer routes. This provides simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing of virtual connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider's network while allowing the provider to distribute customer reachability information. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2.5 VPN using Layer-3 mechanisms is particularly useful for customers who are not comfortable with a full Layer-3VPN IP datapath due to special security concerns or a desire for Layer-2 QoS with benefits of an IP-VPN service.

Abstract: A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.

Abstract: Refresh and filtering mechanisms for LDP based VPLS and L2VPN solutions are disclosed. A method for improving information communication in a network is achieved by these refresh and filtering mechanisms. The network includes provider edge devices which can communicate with each other. The provider edge devices run a communications protocol. The method includes a step of using the communications protocol in providing a first of the provider edge devices with a list of layer-2 virtual private network instances to which a second of the provider edge devices belongs. Another step in the method is filtering layer-2 virtual private network information to be communicated to the second provider edge device from the first provider edge device by reference to the layer-2 virtual private network instances to which the second provider edge device belongs.

Abstract: A method of establishing a multi-segment pseudowire across domains executing different pseudowire signaling protocols augments the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) label message to include a MS-PW TLV. The MS-PW TLV carries pseudowire signal 22 FEC TLV protocol information associated with signaling protocols of other segments of the MS-PW. As a result a multi-segment pseudowire can be extended between domains that execute different pseudowire signaling protocols.

Abstract: A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.

Abstract: Described are a network device and method for distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) from a first provider edge (PE) router to a second provider edge (PE) router. An Ethernet switched path (e.g., a Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) tunnel) is established between the first and second PE routers. The first PE router is at a source end of the Ethernet switched path and the second PE router is at a destination end of the Ethernet switched path. A BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) message is sent from the first PE router to the second PE router. The BGP message contains routing information for a VPN route in a VPN supported by the PSN. An association between the VPN route in the VPN and the Ethernet switched path is determined from the routing information in the BGP message.

Abstract: Described are a network, network device, and method for a method of distributing routing information for a virtual private network (VPN) application through a packet-switched network (PSN) having fully meshed provider edge (PE) routers through Provider Backbone Bridge (PBB) tunnels. Each PE router is configured to support at least one VPN and to run a BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) as an auto-discovery process for finding one or more other PE routers attached to the same VPN. A given VPN is associated with a PBB tunnel. A service instance identifier (I-SID), as defined in IEEE 802.1ah, is assigned to the VPN. Each PE router advertises membership in the VPN by including the I-SID assigned to the VPN in a BGP message issued during the auto-discovery process.

Abstract: A technique for implementing a virtual private optical switched transport network using virtual private optical cross-connect technology is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method comprising the steps of partitioning a network into a plurality of partitions; assigning each partition to a customer; and exclusively controlling the partition assigned to each customer for establishing a private switched network by allowing each customer to exclusively control each respectively assigned partition, wherein each partition comprises at least one virtual private optical cross connect for virtualizing at least one resource.

Abstract: Described are communications network, a network element, and a method for transporting any type of multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) application over an Ethernet switch path (ESP). A network element connected to a packet-switched network comprises a service processor receiving a packet associated with an MPLS application of any type. An encapsulator encapsulates the packet within an Ethernet frame for transport over an ESP established between the network element and a second network element at a remote end of the packet-switched network. The Ethernet frame includes an Ethertype field with an Ethertype value signifying that the Ethernet frame is carrying an MPLS packet. In one embodiment, the Ethertype value is equal to 8847.

Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing completely dry pseudowires which can be utilized for transporting protocol data units formatted in accordance with a first protocol from a first device to a second device. In response to receipt of a first protocol data unit from the first device, a first switch encapsulates that first protocol data unit in a pseudowire payload of a second protocol data unit. The first switch then configures at least one service demultiplexing field of the second protocol data unit to indicate that the second protocol data unit is associated with a pseudowire. The first switch then transmits the second protocol data unit to a second switch via a second protocol tunnel. The second switch unencapsulates the first protocol data unit and transmits the first protocol data unit to the second device based at least in-part upon recognition of the at least one service demultiplexing field of the second protocol data unit.

Abstract: A common BGP framework is provided to achieve VPN information discovery in network based VPNs using modifications to existing BGP-4 multiprotocol extension path attributes. The framework allow each VPN to implement different OSI layer-2 or layer-3 protocols, and to implement different OSI layer-2 or layer-3 protocols from those used by the backbone of the shared network. The extensions added to BGP-4 apply both to Virtual Router (VR) models of VPN systems and to non-VR models.

Abstract: A method for verifying full mesh status in a network is disclosed. The network includes endpoint entities in full mesh configuration. The method includes a step of maintaining a first value in the endpoint entities. The first value is related to counting of network endpoint entities. Another step in the method is maintaining a second value in the endpoint entities. The second value is related to counting non-operational transmission paths before a point in time. An additional step in the method is discovering an additional value related to counting non-operational transmission paths after the point in time. Yet another step in the method is comparing the additional value with the first value and the second value.

Abstract: An architecture for providing service mediation in a network having a Layer-2 domain and an MPLS domain includes at least one Layer-2 provider edge device in communication with a first customer site; at least one Layer-2 edge device in communication with the Layer-2 provider edge device; at least one MPLS mediation edge device in communication with the Layer-2 edge device; and at least: one MPLS provider edge device in communication with both the MPLS mediation edge device and a second customer site. An end-to-end connection is established using native Layer-2 signaling, if any, in the Layer-2 domain and PWE3 signaling protocols in the MPLS domain. The MPLS mediation edge device resolves associations between Layer-2 edge devices and MPLS provider edge devices. The service is “mediated” in the sense that native Layer-2 signaling is terminated at the MME, and a new domain, i.e., pseudowire, is established across the MPLS domain.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for layer-2 and layer-3 VPN discovery are disclosed. The apparatus is incorporated in a network, and the network includes a first carrier network. The first carrier network includes at least two layer-1 provider edge devices. Layer-1 VPN information is created within the first carrier network. BGP next hop information passes within the first carrier network. The BGP next hop information is for a selected one of the following: a layer-2 VPN-based provider edge device, a layer-3 VPN-based provider edge device, and a layer-2 and layer-3 VPN-based provider edge device. The network also includes a second carrier network within which the BGP next hop information is used for VPN discovery.

Abstract: A generalized virtual router is disclosed. A routing and switching apparatus includes a switching fabric and a matrix of switching and routing elements. At least some of the elements are interconnected by the switching fabric. A router control provides control for the switching fabric. The apparatus has both cross-connect and routing functionality.