Abstract: A network device for implementing VLAN translation on a packet. The network device includes a user network interface port for receiving and transmitting packets to customers of a network. The network device also includes a network to network interface port for communicating with a second network device in the network. A packet received at the user network interface port is classified, translated based on a predefined provider field associated with the packet, and encapsulated with a tag that is removed when the packet is transmitted from the user network interface port to a customer.

Abstract: A network device that processes packets and includes at least one legacy component for performing basic processing on packets in the network device. The network device further includes at least one advanced component for performing advanced processing, which can not be performed by the legacy component, on packets in the network device. When an incoming packet to the legacy component requires advanced processing, the legacy component performs the basic processing and transmits the packet to a loop-back port on advanced component. Upon receiving the packet, basic processing is disabled on the advanced component and advanced processing is performed on the packet.

Abstract: A method of adjusting fields of a datagram in the handling of the datagram in a network device is disclosed. The method includes receiving a datagram, with the datagram having at least module identifier fields and port identifier fields, at a port of a network device, determining whether the received datagram is a unicast datagram, adjusting the module and port identifier fields of the datagram based on data registers in the network device when the received datagram is a unicast datagram and forwarding the datagram based on the module and port identifier fields of the datagram. The port of the network device is connected to a legacy device, where the legacy device has a reduced handling capacity when compared to the network device.