Techniques for oversubscribing edge nodes for virtual private networks
First Claim
1. A method for operating a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising the steps of:
- automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated; and
if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, then initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit wherein the provider network is a packet-switched network;
the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer; and
the network interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for operating a network interface include automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated. The attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network that is a link layer virtual private network (VPN) encapsulated in a higher layer protocol. The provider network is a packet-switched network. The network interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network. If it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, then a new network action is initiated in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit. These techniques allow for automatic logging of usage, billing, and fault detection, as well as for over-subscription of network resources for multiple VPNs.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for operating a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising the steps of:
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automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated; and
if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, then initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit wherein the provider network is a packet-switched network;
the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer; and
the network interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for processing a signal on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising:
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means for automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated; and
means for initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, wherein the provider network is a packet-switched network;
the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer; and
the particular interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network.
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11. An apparatus for configuring a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising:
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a provider network interface that is coupled to a provider network for communicating therewith a data packet;
a customer network interface that is coupled to customer premises equipment outside the provider network for communicating therewith a data packet;
one or more processors;
a computer-readable medium; and
one or more sequences of instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out the step of;
automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated; and
if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, then initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit wherein the provider network is a packet-switched network;
the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer; and
the particular interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification