Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: An Ethernet Metropolitan Area Network provides connectivity to one or more customer premises to packet-bases services, such as ATM, Frame Relay, or IP while advantageously providing a mechanism for assuring security and regulation of customer traffic. Upon receipt of each customer-generated information frame, an ingress Multi-Service Platform (MSP) “tags” the frame with a customer descriptor that specifically identifies the recipient customer. In practice, the MSP tags each frame by overwriting the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier with the routing descriptor. Using the customer descriptor in each frame, a recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch can map the information as appropriate to direct the information to the specific customer. In addition, the customer descriptor may also include Quality of Service (QoS) allowing the recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch to vary the QoS level accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: An Ethernet Metropolitan Area Network provides connectivity to one or more customer premises to packet-bases services, such as ATM, Frame Relay, or IP while advantageously providing a mechanism for assuring security and regulation of customer traffic. Upon receipt of each customer-generated information frame, an ingress Multi-Service Platform (MSP) “tags” the frame with a customer descriptor that specifically identifies the recipient customer. In practice, the MSP tags each frame by overwriting the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier with the routing descriptor. Using the customer descriptor in each frame, a recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch can map the information as appropriate to direct the information to the specific customer. In addition, the customer descriptor may also include Quality of Service (QoS) allowing the recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch to vary the QoS level accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A system includes a control server, a data package server, a home storage device, and a set-top box. The control server is configured to provide information related to a data package. The data package server is configured to provide the data package. The home storage device is configured to receive the data package as a multicast from the data package server. Additionally, the home storage device is configured to store the data package in a storage. The set-top box is configured to receive information related to the data package from the control server and retrieve the data package from the home storage device.

Abstract: An Ethernet Metropolitan Area Network provides connectivity to one or more customer premises to packet-bases services, such as ATM, Frame Relay, or IP while advantageously providing a mechanism for assuring security and regulation of customer traffic. Upon receipt of each customer-generated information frame, an ingress Multi-Service Platform (MSP) “tags” the frame with a customer descriptor that specifically identifies the recipient customer. In practice, the MSP tags each frame by overwriting the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier with the routing descriptor. Using the customer descriptor in each frame, a recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch can map the information as appropriate to direct the information to the specific customer. In addition, the customer descriptor may also include Quality of Service (QoS) allowing the recipient Provider Edge Router (PER) or ATM switch to vary the QoS level accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a point-to-point connection are disclosed. The method queries for a next available label for a first provider edge router and a next available label for a second provider edge router, performs a first configuration at the first provider edge router and a second configuration at the second provider edge router, wherein the performing the first configuration comprises configuring a first interface and configuring a label for using at least one tunnel by a second interface, wherein the performing the second configuration comprises configuring a third interface and configuring a label for using the at least one tunnel by a fourth interface, and performs a first mapping for the first provider edge router from the first interface to the second interface, and a second mapping for the second provider edge router from the third interface to the fourth interface.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system for delivering broadcast channels by way of edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, sharing a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and sharing a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system for delivering broadcast channels by way of edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, sharing a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and sharing a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system for delivering broadcast channels by way of edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, sharing a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and sharing a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A new type of data transport service which uses a frame relay layer 2 data link connection identifier (DLCI) to select among various service types, feature sets, and/or closed user groups (CUGs). A layer 3 address may be extracted from a layer 2 frame, and the layer 3 address information may be used to route a data packet over a packet-switched network according to the service classes, feature sets, and/or CUGs selected. At the destination, the layer 3 data packet may again be enclosed in a layer 2 frame with a DLCI indicating the service classes, features sets, and/or CUGs. Because the use of conventional permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) is not required in aspects of the invention, new methods of measuring and managing network traffic are presented.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system for delivering broadcast channels by way of edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, sharing a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and sharing a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to deliver broadcast channels by way of interactive TV (iTV) edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, share a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and share a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A new type of data transport service which uses a frame relay layer 2 data link connection identifier (DLCI) to select among various service types, feature sets, and/or closed user groups (CUGs). A layer 3 address may be extracted from a layer 2 frame, and the layer 3 address information may be used to route a data packet over a packet-switched network according to the service classes, feature sets, and/or CUGs selected. At the destination, the layer 3 data packet may again be enclosed in a layer 2 frame with a DLCI indicating the service classes, features sets, and/or CUGs. Because the use of conventional permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) is not required in aspects of the invention, new methods of measuring and managing network traffic are presented.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising: for selected traffic that enters a backbone network via a predetermined ingress point and is addressed to a predetermined destination, via a dynamic tunnel, automatically diverting the selected traffic from the predetermined ingress point to a processing complex; and automatically forwarding the selected traffic from the processing complex toward the predetermined destination.