Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network device maintains translation data structures defining translations among multiple framing media formats used for transmitting or receiving network packets via multiple supported media transmission channels, including (i) between a first framing media format and an intermediate format and (ii) between the intermediate format and a second framing media format. A virtual bridging application representing a single bridging domain for bridging all network traffic traversing the network device translates ingress network packets from the first framing media format to egress network packets of the second framing media format based the translation data structures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network switching/routing blade server comprises network modules, including a first and second set operable to receive packets having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network device maintains translation data structures defining translations among multiple framing media formats used for transmitting or receiving network packets via multiple supported media transmission channels, including (i) between a first framing media format and an intermediate format and (ii) between the intermediate format and a second framing media format. A virtual bridging application representing a single bridging domain for bridging all network traffic traversing the network device translates ingress network packets from the first framing media format to egress network packets of the second framing media format based the translation data structures.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network switching/routing blade server comprises network modules, including a first and second set operable to receive packets having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network switching/routing blade server comprises network interfaces, including a first and second set operable to receive packets encapsulated within a first and second set of media transmissions, respectively, and each having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network device comprises network interfaces (netmods), including a first and second set operable to receive packets encapsulated within a first and second set of media transmissions, respectively, and each having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network switching/routing blade server comprises network interfaces, including a first and second set operable to receive packets encapsulated within a first and second set of media transmissions, respectively, and each having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexible Mobile IP foreign agent architecture for enabling converged services are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a packet is received over a circuit bound with a converged services domain of a network element. The converged services domain enables forwarding of wired and wireless traffic to a plurality of destination network elements. Upon determining that the circuit is capable of carrying Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) packets, the packet is processed according to an entry in a Mobile IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet has a corresponding entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base, and the packet is processed according to a different entry in an IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet does not have an entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network device comprises network interfaces (netmods), including a first and second set operable to receive packets encapsulated within a first and second set of media transmissions, respectively, and each having a first and second framing media format, respectively. A single bridging domain is provided by a shared bridging application. A memory stores data structures for translating between the first and second framing media formats via an intermediate format. The netmods pass a received packet, through a switching fabric, to the bridging application, which determines a relay location for the packet and whether the relay location is among the other set of netmods. Responsive to an affirmative determination, the bridging application uses the translation data structures to translate the packet before relaying the packet to the relay location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network-computing device comprises multiple network interfaces (netmods) and a shared processing resource. The shared processing resource executes a virtual bridging application representing a single bridging domain for all network packets received by the network-computing device. A translation data structure defines translations between a first framing media format and an intermediate format and between the intermediate format and a second framing media format. If the virtual bridging application determines a network packet is to be relayed between a netmod operable to receive network packets encapsulated within the first framing media format and a netmod operable to transmit network packets encapsulated within the second framing media format, then it uses the translation data structures to translate the network packet before relaying the network packet.

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: 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: A method and apparatus for flexible Mobile IP foreign agent architecture for enabling converged services are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a packet is received over a circuit bound with a converged services domain of a network element. The converged services domain enables forwarding of wired and wireless traffic to a plurality of destination network elements. Upon determining that the circuit is capable of carrying Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) packets, the packet is processed according to an entry in a Mobile IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet has a corresponding entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base, and the packet is processed according to a different entry in an IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet does not have an entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging network packets transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, a network-computing device comprises multiple network interfaces (netmods) and a shared processing resource. The shared processing resource executes a virtual bridging application representing a single bridging domain for all network packets received by the network-computing device. A translation data structure defines translations between a first framing media format and an intermediate format and between the intermediate format and a second framing media format. If the virtual bridging application determines a network packet is to be relayed between a netmod operable to receive network packets encapsulated within the first framing media format and a netmod operable to transmit network packets encapsulated within the second framing media format, then it uses the translation data structures to translate the network packet before relaying the network packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexible Mobile IP foreign agent architecture for enabling converged services are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a packet is received over a circuit bound with a converged services domain of a network element. The converged services domain enables forwarding of wired and wireless traffic to a plurality of destination network elements. Upon determining that the circuit is capable of carrying Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) packets, the packet is processed according to an entry in a Mobile IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet has a corresponding entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base, and the packet is processed according to a different entry in an IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet does not have an entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging Ethernet frames transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, multiple Ethernet frames encapsulated within multiple in-bound media transmissions having different media formats are received via a first set of multiple network interfaces of a network-computing device. The multiple in-bound media transmissions are relayed via a switch fabric of the network-computing device to a virtual bridge application running on a processing resource shared by the network interfaces and which acts as a single bridging domain for all Ethernet frames. The virtual bridge application encapsulates the multiple Ethernet frames within multiple out-bound media transmissions by performing media agnostic Ethernet bridging of the multiple Ethernet frames. The multiple Ethernet frames are transmitted by relaying, via the switch fabric, the out-bound media transmissions to a second set of the multiple network interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems for bridging Ethernet frames transmitted over heterogeneous media channels are provided. According to one embodiment, multiple Ethernet frames encapsulated within multiple in-bound media transmissions having different media formats are received via a first set of multiple network interfaces of a network-computing device. The multiple in-bound media transmissions are relayed via a switch fabric of the network-computing device to a virtual bridge application running on a processing resource shared by the network interfaces and which acts as a single bridging domain for all Ethernet frames. The virtual bridge application encapsulates the multiple Ethernet frames within multiple out-bound media transmissions by performing media agnostic Ethernet bridging of the multiple Ethernet frames. The multiple Ethernet frames are transmitted by relaying, via the switch fabric, the out-bound media transmissions to a second set of the multiple network interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for bridging heterogeneous media packets using a single processor resource having a virtual bridge. Network interfaces associated with heterogeneous media channels relay network packets to the virtual bridge. The virtual bridge accesses metadata associated with the relayed network packets and translates the network packets between media formats. The translated network packets are then relayed to an appropriate network interface. In one embodiment, the virtual bridge is dynamically configurable within the processing resource.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexible Mobile IP foreign agent architecture for enabling converged services are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a packet is received over a circuit bound with a converged services domain of a network element. The converged services domain enables forwarding of wired and wireless traffic to a plurality of destination network elements. Upon determining that the circuit is capable of carrying Mobile Internet Protocol (IP) packets, the packet is processed according to an entry ma Mobile IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet has a corresponding entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base, and the packet is processed according to a different entry in an IP forwarding information base upon determining that the packet does not have an entry in the Mobile IP forwarding information base. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing subscriber profiles in a network environment are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a connection request from a subscriber, wherein the subscriber is associated with a first-level profile identifier, and wherein more than one subscriber can be associated with the first-level profile identifier. The method also includes determining lower-level profile identifiers using the first-level profile identifier. The method further includes creating a connection for the subscriber, where the connection enables forwarding of packets, and where the forwarding of the packets is based on the associated profile identifiers.