Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway and service provider equipment providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider equipment where the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment providing the data service. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a network element along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider equipment. A request from service provider equipment can include an allowed bandwidth or prioritization. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway for a subscriber of the data network and a service provider providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider wherein the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider providing the data service during the data session. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a node along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider for enforcement of the data flow characteristic for the data path at the node. More particularly, the data session may be a point-to-point protocol data session. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: An MPLS network is operated by pushing a plurality of MPLS shim headers onto a packet at network node. The packet is replicated to obtain a plurality of packets for transmission on a plurality of paths associated with a plurality of nodes, respectively. At least one MPLS shim header is popped from respective ones of the plurality of packets. The one or more MPLS shim headers that are popped correspond to at least one of the plurality of nodes that is not associated with one of the plurality of paths for which one of the plurality of packets comprising the one or more MPLS shim headers is destined for transmission. The plurality of packets is then transmitted on the plurality of paths, respectively.

Abstract: Methods, systems and/or computer program products are provided for managing Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) having a broadband access server (BRAS) that facilitates differentiated end-to-end data transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). In particular embodiments of the present invention, a modify QoS and/or bandwidth allocation message including updated QoS and/or bandwidth information from the NSP and/or ASP is received at the RAN. The BRAS is updated with the QoS and/or bandwidth information and the RG is also updated with the QoS and/or bandwidth information.