Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a layer 2 node associated with an open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model to perform resource reservation protocol (RSVP) processing are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention a layer 2 device associated with an OSI reference model includes a first interface, a processing arrangement, and a second interface. The first interface intercepts a message associated with a on-path signaling protocol for at least one selected from a group including resource reservation and admission control at a layer above layer 2. The processing arrangement processes the message, and the second interface sends the message.

Abstract: A system includes a multi-stack subscriber, a gateway, and a web portal. The web portal determines whether the subscriber is authenticated to access the Internet using a first Internet Protocol by receiving logon information from the subscriber. The subscriber requests to access the Internet using a second Internet Protocol. The gateway and/or the web portal determine whether the subscriber is authenticated to access the Internet using the second Internet Protocol without sending a second logon to the subscriber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aggregation device is configured to aggregate traffic of a plurality of customer edge (CE) devices into a single bridge-domain. The aggregation device receives connectivity fault management (CFM) packets of a CFM protocol from the plurality of CE devices. Each received CFM packet includes a media access control (MAC) address of an access port of the CE device from which the CFM packet was transmitted. The aggregation device detects conflicting MAC addresses between access ports of CE devices by comparing MAC addresses of the received CFM packets. The aggregation device notifies one or more of the plurality of CE devices of the conflict.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aggregation device operating in a computer network may have a down maintenance end point (MEP) configured on certain of its user-to-network interface (UNI) ports. These down MEPs may then receive continuity check messages (CCMs) from down MEPs configured on customer edge (CE) devices, where each CCM has a media access control (MAC) address of a corresponding CE device UNI port from which the CCM is transmitted. In response to detecting conflicting MAC addresses between CE device UNI ports based on the CCMs, the aggregation device may notify the CE devices corresponding to the conflicting MAC addresses of the conflict.

Abstract: A system includes an access node having an associated identifier. The access node is configured to insert the identifier into a network connection request. The system includes an IP edge service node connected to the access node and configured to receive the network connection request. The IP edge service node is further configured to store the inserted identifier and to insert the identifier into an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address request transmitted according to dynamic host configuration protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) through an established network connection based on the network connection request. The system further includes a server configured to receive the IPv6 address request and assign an IPv6 address based on the IPv6 address request.

Abstract: One embodiment includes, inter alia, methods, apparatus, computer-storage media, mechanisms, and/or means associated with automated transitioning between different communication protocols in a network. In one embodiment, automatic transition routers are automatically discovered along with the knowledge of what non-native protocols need to be transported across a network. Communication pathways are automatically established as needed to transport these non-native protocols. One embodiment is particularly useful in transitioning a network from one protocol to another, such as from Internet Protocol version 4 to version 6.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device maintains address compatibility in a reload. The reload results from a reconnect event such as a reboot or a software upgrade. Before the reload, the network device establishes communication using a first address prefix. Because of the reload, the first address prefix is cleared from the network device. The service provider may provide a second address prefix. Rather than advertise the second address prefix, the network device waits for traffic from the hosts. If the hosts continue to use the first address prefix, the network device requests the first address prefix be re-assigned by the service provider. If the service provider does not re-assign the first address prefix, the network device may advertise the first address prefix in a router advertisement including a relatively short preferred lifetime. The short preferred lifetime prevents the use of the old address prefix.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by an access node, multicast control parameters for white, black, and grey lists of multicast groups. The access node applies the multicast control parameters to an IGMP process running on a port associated with a subscriber. In response to receiving an IGMP message requesting joining a multicast group, the access node either: autonomously forwarding the multicast group on the port where the multicast group in on the white list, blocking the multicast group on the port where the multicast group in on the black list, or relying on a Layer 3 broadband network gateway (BNG) to instruct the access node whether to add a forwarding entry on the port for the multicast group where the multicast group in on the grey list. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Techniques for inserting a network service in an Ethernet access network operated by an access service provider include sending routing data to customer premises equipment. The access network is between a physical layer link with customer premises equipment and a remote packet switched network. The routing data indicates a logical network address for an access gateway for access to the remote packet switched network, and a logical network address for an ancillary gateway for an ancillary service different from access to the remote packet-switched network. A data packet is received from customer premises equipment and it is determined whether a layer 2 destination address indicates the ancillary gateway. If so the data packet is directed to the ancillary gateway instead of the access gateway. Thus, the ancillary service is provided topologically closer to the customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving signaling data associated with a request for a multicast channel, the request includes an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) source and an IPv6 group address. The method may also include identifying an Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4) source and an IPv4 group address to be mapped to the IPv6 source and the IPv6 group address. The signaling data can be converted from a first protocol to a second protocol. The converted signaling data can be communicated to a network element. In more particular embodiments, the network element is an IP edge router configured to join the multicast channel and stream data in response to receiving the converted signaling data. The IP edge router can be configured to perform an encapsulation operation to transport IPv6 multicast packets within an IPv4 multicast channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying at least one parameter as being associated with a service provided to an entity, as for example a subscriber. The service is arranged to service the entity. The method also includes monitoring the parameter to determine if accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised, and invoking a notification mechanism to send a notification to the entity if it is determined that the accessibility to the service by the entity is compromised. The notification indicates that the accessibility to the service is compromised.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for routing data within a packet-switched network using a PW wherein the PW is terminated directly on the layer-3 routing device such that certain services and applications can be utilized is presented. The method, apparatus and computer program product receives an encapsulated layer-2 Protocol Data Unit (PDU) from a pseudowire emulating a service. The encapsulation is removed from the encapsulated layer-2 PDU and a layer-2 circuit associated with the pseudowire is terminated. The circuit is treated as an interface and the PDU is forwarded based on upper layer protocol information within the PDU.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an aggregation device operating in a computer network may have a down maintenance end point (MEP) configured on certain of its user-to-network interface (UNI) ports. These down MEPs may then receive continuity check messages (CCMs) from down MEPs configured on customer edge (CE) devices, where each CCM has a media access control (MAC) address of a corresponding CE device UNI port from which the CCM is transmitted. In response to detecting conflicting MAC addresses between CE device UNI ports based on the CCMs, the aggregation device may notify the CE devices corresponding to the conflicting MAC addresses of the conflict.

Abstract: A method of operation for a node of an Ethernet access network includes issuing a multicast message on the Ethernet access network by a maintenance end point (MEP) of the node. The multicast message contains a name of a target MEP. The node is further operable to receive a unicast reply message from the target MEP, the unicast message reply containing a MEP identifier (MEP-ID) and a MEP Media Access Control (MAC) address of the target MEP.

Abstract: Techniques for providing remote access to a service provider network include exchanging multiple Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) formatted messages instead of any Point to Point Protocol (PPP) message to provide all PPP functions for accessing a service provider network from a customer node. The service provider network is on provider premises and the customer node is on customer premises different from the provider premises. The DHCP format is used to exchange authentication messages, user profile data on Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) servers, or session keep-alive echo messages, alone or in some combination. When all are message types are combined, these techniques provide a remote access server (RAS) with the capability to perform all functions presently provided by PPP processes. In some combinations, these techniques allow a modified DHCP server to replace a legacy AAA server.

Abstract: A customer edge device is automatically configured. A request for customer edge device configuration data may be transmitted to a provider edge device via an Ethernet-layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) protocol. The request for configuration data may be relayed from the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol to a configuration protocol. The request for configuration data may be transmitted from the provider edge device to a configuration repository server via the configuration protocol. The configuration repository server may transmit the requested configuration data to the provider edge device via the configuration protocol. The provider edge device may relay the configuration data from the configuration protocol to the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol and transmit the configuration data to a customer edge device via the Ethernet-layer OAM&P protocol. The customer edge device may automatically configure itself using the configuration data.

Abstract: A system includes an access node having an associated identifier. The access node is configured to insert the identifier into a network connection request. The system includes an IP edge service node connected to the access node and configured to receive the network connection request. The IP edge service node is further configured to store the inserted identifier and to insert the identifier into an Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) address request transmitted according to dynamic host configuration protocol version 6 (DHCPv6) through an established network connection based on the network connection request. The system further includes a server configured to receive the IPv6 address request and assign an IPv6 address based on the IPv6 address request.

Abstract: In one embodiment, for each port of an access node in an access-based computer network, one access server of a plurality of access servers is configured as a preferred access server for that port. Upon receiving a session initiation message at a particular port, the access node forwards the session initiation message to one or more of the access servers based on the configured preferred access server for the particular port.

Abstract: Techniques for authenticating a user for access to an IP network include receiving from the user's host a DHCP request which includes user identifier data. A random challenge value is determined and sent to the user's host in a DHCP message format. A response message that includes a response value is received from the user's host in DHCP format. A verification value is determined based on a password value associated with the user identifier value in an AAA server and the current challenge value using a secure process that renders impractical an attempt to derive the password. If it is determined that the response value does not match the verification value, then a DHCP offer is prevented from being sent to the user's host in response to the DHCP request. Thus, a user is authenticated using DHCP instead of PPP.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for routing data within a packet-switched network using a PW wherein the PW is terminated directly on the layer-3 routing device such that certain services and applications can be utilized is presented. The method, apparatus and computer program product receives an encapsulated layer-2 Protocol Data Unit (PDU) from a pseudowire emulating a service. The encapsulation is removed from the encapsulated layer-2 PDU and a layer-2 circuit associated with the pseudowire is terminated. The circuit is treated as an interface and the PDU is forwarded based on upper layer protocol information within the PDU.