Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a network includes detecting occurrence of a network event associated with a new network condition including unplanned and planned macro-events associated with network elements and communication links of the network. The network event is classified as being associated with at least one of a network element failure, communications link failure, and a security breach. In response to the network event exceeding a network degradation threshold, the network event is identified as a network degradation event, and an alert is sent to a network administrator to normalize the network degradation event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing virtual private network (VPN) connectivity between at least two customer sites. Each of a plurality of PE routers includes at least one access module adapted for connectivity to at least one customer site. The access modules are generated automatically for each PE router associated with a VPN, wherein customer sites, which are associated with said VPN and have an identical export route target (RT) value and import RT value, are connected to a common access module. Otherwise, customer sites associated with the PE router that do not have identical export and import RT values are coupled to their own respective access modules at the PE router. Each access module generates an ingress-forwarding table for routing packetized information between the at least two customer sites.