Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing packet synchronization in a Virtual Private Network. A node that provides backhaul service to a plurality of Service Providers in the Virtual Private Network receives a synchronization control packet. It identifies a characteristic relating to the identity of a Service Provider of the plurality of Service Providers, and provides synchronization information to the node on the basis of the identified characteristic. Subsequent packets associated with the identified Service Provider are handled using the synchronization information.

Abstract: One of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for routing frames via a node with at least one VLAN—“Virtual Local Area Network” interface which is configured to process frames associated with at least one VLAN. The method comprises: receiving an ingress frame at a source physical port of said node, wherein said ingress frame carries one or more VLAN tags and each of said VLAN tags is arranged to identify one VLAN ID; determining a forwarding destination for said frame within or among at least one service domain; and transmitting a corresponding egress frame at a destination physical port of said node, wherein said egress frame carries one or more VLAN tags and each of said VLAN tags is arranged to identify one VLAN ID. The embodiments of the present invention further provide corresponding network node device and computer program product.