Abstract: A method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first link of a multi-chassis link aggregation group, communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second link of the multi-chassis link aggregation group, communicatively coupling the second network element to a fourth network element via a first path of a point-to-point network, and communicatively coupling the third network element to the fourth network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may also include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated between the first network element and the fourth network element via the first link and the first path may be switched over to the second link and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: A first network element is coupled to a second network element via a first path of a first point-to-point network, the first network element is coupled to a third network element via a second path of the first-point-to-point network, the second network element is coupled to a fourth network element via a first path of a second point-to-point network, and the third network element is coupled to the fourth network element via a second path of the second point-to-point network. The paths of the first point-to-point network are configured as paths of a first linear protected switching connection and the paths of the second point-to-point network are configured as paths of a second linear protected switching connection such that traffic communicated between the first network element and the fourth network element via the first paths may be switched over to the second paths.

Abstract: According to a further embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling the second network element and the third network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network. The method may further include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated between the first network element and the multipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and the second path may be switched over to the other of the first path and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may further include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated via one of the first path and the second path may be switched over to the other of the first path and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a distributed provider edge are provided. According to one embodiment, a one-to-one association is formed between a Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) of a provider edge device (PE) of a service provider and a customer site. The VRF includes a routing information base (RIB) and a forwarding information base (FIB). A network interface module is instantiated within the VRF for each network interface employed, such as an intranet, extranet, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and/or Internet interface. A first packet is received at the PE via a first network interface. A first network interface module associated with the first network interface accesses the RIB to acquire routing information for the first packet. A second packet is received via a second network interface. A second network interface module associated with the second network interface accesses the RIB to acquire routing information for the second packet.

Abstract: According to an additional embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a first point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the first-point-to-point network. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling the second network element to a fourth network element via a first path of a second point-to-point network. The method may further include communicatively coupling the third network element to the fourth network element via a second path of the second point-to-point network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may further include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated via one of the first path and the second path may be switched over to the other of the first path and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: According to a further embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second path of the point-to-point network. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling the second network element and the third network element to a multipoint-to-multipoint network. The method may further include configuring the first path and the second path as paths of a linear protected switching connection such that traffic associated with a service and communicated between the first network element and the multipoint-to-multipoint network via one of the first path and the second path may be switched over to the other of the first path and the second path in response to an event.

Abstract: According to another embodiment, a method may include communicatively coupling a first network element to a second network element via a first link of a multi-chassis link aggregation group. The method may also include communicatively coupling the first network element to a third network element via a second link of the multi-chassis link aggregation group. The method may additionally include communicatively coupling the second network element to a fourth network element via a first path of a point-to-point network. The method may further include communicatively coupling the third network element to the fourth network element via a second path of the point-to-point network.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for a Distributed Provider Edge Abstract of the Disclosure Methods and Systems are provided for a distributed Provider Edge (PE). A single Virtual Routing and Forwarding device (VRF) is associated with a single customer site. The VRF includes a single routing table (RIB) and a single forwarding table (FIB). The VRF also includes a plurality of Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocol Instance Modules (VRP), where each VRP is associated with a different VPN from the customer site. Each VRP accesses the RIB directly and the FIB indirectly to acquiring addressing/routing information for a received data packet. Moreover, each VRP uses a data plane of the VRP to communicate the data packets to a PE backbone device. In turn, the PE backbone device uses the data plane to communicate with each of the VRPs, and the PE backbone device communicates with one or more tunnels.