Abstract: This document describes, among other things, a router providing service-enabled multicast forwarding for a flow-based architecture. Services are enabled using inbound/outbound policies from Access Control Lists (ACLs). In a first mode, per-flow services are not enabled, and flows are aggregated for efficiency. In a second mode, per-flow services are enabled, and control information for an outbound interface (OIF) is shared across all multicast flows that do not have per-flow service enabled. A flow management scheme for these modes allows dynamic multicast membership updates while reducing disruption of active flows. This supports a large multicast OIF list and a high rate of multicast “Joins” and “Leaves”. This provides scalability and performance, such as desired for deploying multicast for broadband subscriber applications.

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 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 to 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: Methods, Systems, and Virtual Routers are provided for providing dynamic route exchange between routers. First and second routers are configured to communicate route information to one another. When a new route is detected in the first router, it is dynamically communicated to the second router using a lightweight protocol. Both the sending and receiving routers can apply policies to determine whether routes are to be sent or received. In some embodiments, when a network packet is received and associated with a route that was learned, a router uses an interface reference associated with the route, and by activating the reference the network packet is directed to a next address in a network. In this way, a router need not directly learn routes, but rather a reference can be used to activate an interface that knows how to handle a learned route.

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.