SVC-L2.5 VPNs: combining Layer-3 VPNs technology with switched MPLS/IP L2VPNs for ethernet, ATM and frame relay circuits
First Claim
1. A network for providing switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPNs, said network comprising:
- a set of elements interconnected by services;
at least one first subset of said elements defining a private network;
at least one second subset of elements different from said first subset defining a provider network wherein at least two subgroups of said first subset of elements may be connected via said provider network;
a provisioning mechanism used to define element membership in said first subset of elements;
a plurality of customer ports maintained on said elements of said first subset of elements;
a plurality of provider ports maintained on said second set of elements, each of said plurality of provider ports connected by services to a customer port;
a port information table at each element of said provider network having a provider port, said port information table containing mapping information relating addresses of customer ports to addresses of provider ports for said first subset of elements;
a signalling mechanism used to create Layer-2 connectivity between elements within said first subset of elements at the Layer-2 level across said second subset of elements; and
a reachability distribution mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Layer-2.5 virtual private network arrangement and method is disclosed for switched Layer2VPN combined with a subset of Layer-3VPNs. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPN includes logical ports of two types, customer and provider, and port information tables, and uses Layer-3 mechanisms to distribute customer routes. This provides simplified provisioning and a degree of customer autonomy regarding establishing of virtual connections without the assistance of the service provider across the service provider'"'"'s network while allowing the provider to distribute customer reachability information. The switched virtual circuit Layer-2.5VPN using Layer-3 mechanisms is particularly useful for customers who are not comfortable with a full Layer-3 VPN IP datapath due to special security concerns or a desire for Layer-2 QoS with benefits of an IP-VPN service.
16 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A network for providing switched virtual circuit Layer-2 VPNs, said network comprising:
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a set of elements interconnected by services;
at least one first subset of said elements defining a private network;
at least one second subset of elements different from said first subset defining a provider network wherein at least two subgroups of said first subset of elements may be connected via said provider network;
a provisioning mechanism used to define element membership in said first subset of elements;
a plurality of customer ports maintained on said elements of said first subset of elements;
a plurality of provider ports maintained on said second set of elements, each of said plurality of provider ports connected by services to a customer port;
a port information table at each element of said provider network having a provider port, said port information table containing mapping information relating addresses of customer ports to addresses of provider ports for said first subset of elements;
a signalling mechanism used to create Layer-2 connectivity between elements within said first subset of elements at the Layer-2 level across said second subset of elements; and
a reachability distribution mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22)
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12. A method of organizing a network having a set of elements interconnected by services, wherein at least one first subset of said elements defines a private network and at least one second subset of elements different from said first subset defines a provider network and wherein at least two subgroups of said first subset of elements may be connected via said provider network, said method comprising:
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defining element membership in said first subset of elements via a provisioning mechanism;
establishing a plurality of customer ports within said elements of said first subset of elements;
establishing a plurality of provider ports within said second set of elements, each of said plurality of provider ports connected by services to a customer port;
establishing a port information table at each element of said provider network having a provider port, said port information table containing mapping;
information relating addresses of customer ports to addresses of provider ports;
determining reachability across said second subset of elements; and
creating Layer-2 connectivity within said first subset of elements at the Layer-2 level across said second subset of elements via a signalling mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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23. A method of organizing a network having a set of elements interconnected by services, wherein at least one first subset of said elements defines a private network and at least one second subset of elements different from said first subset defines a provider network and wherein at least two subgroups of said first subset of elements may be connected via said provider network, said method comprising:
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defining a L2VPN topology;
establishing a plurality of customer ports within said elements of said first subset of elements;
establishing a plurality of provider ports within said second set of elements, each of said plurality of provider ports connected by data and signalling services to a customer port;
creating a Layer-2 Port Information Table for each provider port;
establishing the identity of customer ports attached to each provider port, and populating the Layer-2 Port Information Table at that provider port with mapping information relating addresses of customer ports to addresses of provider ports;
distributing said mapping information to Layer-2 Port Information Tables of said provider network via an auto-discovery mechanism;
determining reachability across said second subset of elements via a Layer-3 VPN service; and
creating Layer-2 connectivity within said first subset of elements at the Layer-2 level across said second subset of elements via a signalling mechanism upon request from an element within said first subset of elements.
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Specification