Abstract: An access node comprises an application server, a logical access port coupled to the application server and a redirection filter module coupled to the logical access port. The redirection filter module includes a data redirection filter and an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) redirection filter. The data redirection filter facilitates a data packet received on the access port being directed to the application server when a destination Media Access Control (MAC) address of the data packet corresponds to a MAC address of the application server or when a destination Internet Protocol (IP) address of the data packet corresponds to an IP address of the application server. The ARP redirection filter facilitates an ARP reply message being issued when a target IP address of an ARP request message received on the access port corresponds to the IP address of the application server.

Abstract: A method for configuring an access node to provide residential routing functionality comprising populating a fixed match forwarding table with host entries learned during authentication of a residential router instance or during IP address assignment for the residential router instance, associating the residential router instance exclusively with a respective virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier, forwarding upstream traffic dependent upon the respective VLAN identifier and forwarding downstream traffic dependent upon a host entry designated by the downstream traffic being determined. The host entry is accessed from within the fixed match forwarding table. At least one logical interface associated with the residential router instance is provided. The IP packet received on a VLAN corresponding to the VLAN identifier is limited to being forwarded to one of the logical interfaces.