Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed herein for providing an Individual Service Instance identifier (“I-SID”) translation service for accessing services on different networks. Packets designated for specific services via an I-SID Tag may be received at an edge network device and a lookup may be performed to locate the service on another network via the I-SID corresponding to the service, the I-SID being mapped at another network. The I-SID may be updated with the newly-located I-SID in order for the packet to reach an appropriate service on the other network.

Abstract: Implementing auto attach for a shortest path bridging (SPB) network comprises determining, on an access point, that an auto attach device communicating in a SPB network is enabled for auto attach, and an advertisement is transmitted to a mobile station. The access point acts a proxy between the mobile station and the auto-attach device by communicably coupling the auto attach device and the mobile station via the access point. A virtual local area network (VLAN) identification and service instance identifier (I-SID) is received from the mobile station, when is then transmitted to the auto-attach device. A VLAN (independent of any static VLAN associated with the WLAN) is created off of the VLAN identification and an indication that the I-SID and the VLAN have been accepted. Data communications are then provided between the mobile station and the auto attach device via the VLAN and the access point.

Abstract: Implementing auto attach for a shortest path bridging (SPB) network comprises determining, on an access point, that an auto attach device communicating in a SPB network is enabled for auto attach, and an advertisement is transmitted to a mobile station. The access point acts a proxy between the mobile station and the auto-attach device by communicably coupling the auto attach device and the mobile station via the access point. A virtual local area network (VLAN) identification and service instance identifier (I-SID) is received from the mobile station, when is then transmitted to the auto-attach device. A VLAN (independent of any static VLAN associated with the WLAN) is created off of the VLAN identification and an indication that the I-SID and the VLAN have been accepted. Data communications are then provided between the mobile station and the auto attach device via the VLAN and the access point.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed herein for providing an Individual Service Instance identifier (“I-SID”) translation service for accessing services on different networks. Packets designated for specific services via an I-SID Tag may be received at an edge network device and a lookup may be performed to locate the service on another network via the I-SID corresponding to the service, the I-SID being mapped at another network. The I-SID may be updated with the newly-located I-SID in order for the packet to reach an appropriate service on the other network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus and software for debugging auto-attach entities is presented. A Continuity Fault Management (CFM) request for a service is received over a network at an Auto-Attach (AA) server. The AA server responds with a first response regarding the AA server on the service. The AA server also responds to the CFM request with a second response regarding any AA clients and any AA proxies on the service.

Abstract: Multicast link trace Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) is implemented in an Ethernet network by causing nodes on the network which perform Reverse Path Forwarding Check (RPFC) based on packet Source Address (SA) to not update the packet SA when updating the content of the CFM message. Alternatively multicast CFM is implemented by causing nodes on the network to update the packet SA when the content of the CFM message is updated, but cause a secondary RPFC process to be implemented by a control process in connection with processing the CFM message. The secondary RPFC process is based on a combination of source and content contained in the payload of the CFM message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, apparatus and software for debugging auto-attach entities is presented. A Continuity Fault Management (CFM) request for a service is received over a network at an Auto-Attach (AA) server. The AA server responds with a first response regarding the AA server on the service. The AA server also responds to the CFM request with a second response regarding any AA clients and any AA proxies on the service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for debugging private Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) is provided. In a Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) domain wherein a primary Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) includes promiscuous ports and wherein a secondary VLAN includes isolated ports, a determination is made at a first network device whether a CFM packet is received on a primary VLAN or a secondary VLAN. When the CFM packet is received on a secondary VLAN, then the CFM packet is responses to on the primary VLAN.

Abstract: Multicast link trace Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) is implemented in an Ethernet network by causing nodes on the network which perform Reverse Path Forwarding Check (RPFC) based on packet Source Address (SA) to not update the packet SA when updating the content of the CFM message. Alternatively multicast CFM is implemented by causing nodes on the network to update the packet SA when the content of the CFM message is updated, but cause a secondary RPFC process to be implemented by a control process in connection with processing the CFM message. The secondary RPFC process is based on a combination of source and content contained in the payload of the CFM message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for debugging private Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) is provided. In a Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) domain wherein a primary Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) includes promiscuous ports and wherein a secondary VLAN includes isolated ports, a determination is made at a first network device whether a CFM packet is received on a primary VLAN or a secondary VLAN. When the CFM packet is received on a secondary VLAN, then the CFM packet is responses to on the primary VLAN.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a network device(s) employing tree tracer processing of a data packet(s) and/or a response(s) in order to discover and graphically represent all the paths within a hierarchical tree of network devices for multicast traffic flows. Specifically, a first network device receives a data packet. The data packet provides a multicast target MAC address. The first network device forwards the data packet to a plurality of network devices, where each of the plurality of the network devices belong to a multicast group identified according to the multicast target MAC address. Based on receipt of the data packet, the first network device generates and transmits a first response to a source of the data packet. The first response indicates a placement of the first network device with respect to a hierarchical tree of the plurality of network devices belonging to the multicast group.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for improving multicast traffic operations in a Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) network by conveying bridging domain information of an incoming interface (IIF) when transporting multicast traffic over the SPB network. Techniques disclosed herein include modifying encapsulation packet header information of existing Mac-In-Mac fields to convey additional information that can be interpreted at edge nodes by modifying edge node interpretation of multicast data. Specifically, the value of the I-SID in the BMAC-DA field can be set to be different from the I-SID value in the I-TAG field. Carrying the L2 VSN I-SID value in the I-TAG allows the Egress BEBs to determine which VLAN/L2 VSN/Bridging-Domain of the IIF is in use, and then modify or preserve underlying header information accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a network device(s) employing tree tracer processing of a data packet(s) and/or a response(s) in order to discover and graphically represent all the paths within a hierarchical tree of network devices for multicast traffic flows. Specifically, a first network device receives a data packet. The data packet provides a multicast target MAC address. The first network device forwards the data packet to a plurality of network devices, where each of the plurality of the network devices belong to a multicast group identified according to the multicast target MAC address. Based on receipt of the data packet, the first network device generates and transmits a first response to a source of the data packet. The first response indicates a placement of the first network device with respect to a hierarchical tree of the plurality of network devices belonging to the multicast group.