Scalable system and method for DSL subscriber traffic over an Ethernet network
First Claim
1. A processor-implemented method of operation for a user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device of an Ethernet access network, the method comprising:
- receiving a customer frame from a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, the customer frame being of a first format that includes a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag of a first predetermined bit length, the first VLAN tag identifying a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscriber; and
re-formatting the customer frame into a second format, wherein the first VLAN tag is mapped to a second VLAN tag of a second predetermined bit length greater than the first predetermined bit length, the second VLAN tag identifying a service instance of the Ethernet access network, in the second format the customer frame being encapsulated inside a provider frame, with a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a destination device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for identifying and forwarding traffic to/from Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) devices and feature servers without ambiguity includes a user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device that receives a customer frame from a DSLAM device, the customer frame being of a first format that includes a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag of a first bit length. The first VLAN tag identifies a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscriber. The customer frame is re-formatted by the u-PE device such that the first VLAN tag is mapped to a second VLAN tag of a second bit length greater than the first bit length, the second VLAN tag identifying a service instance of the Ethernet access network. The u-PE device encapsulating the customer frame inside a provider frame, with a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a destination device. 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. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
146 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A processor-implemented method of operation for a user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device of an Ethernet access network, the method comprising:
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receiving a customer frame from a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, the customer frame being of a first format that includes a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag of a first predetermined bit length, the first VLAN tag identifying a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscriber; and
re-formatting the customer frame into a second format, wherein the first VLAN tag is mapped to a second VLAN tag of a second predetermined bit length greater than the first predetermined bit length, the second VLAN tag identifying a service instance of the Ethernet access network, in the second format the customer frame being encapsulated inside a provider frame, with a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a destination device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A processor-implemented method of operation for a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device coupled to an Ethernet access network, comprising:
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encapsulating a customer frame inside a provider frame, wherein a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM device, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a service node; and
adding a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag having a bit field that identifies a service instance of the Ethernet access network, the bit field being 20 bits long. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device for association with an Ethernet access network, the u-PE device comprising:
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a port to receive a customer frame from a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, the customer frame being of a first format that includes a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag of a first predetermined bit length, the first VLAN tag identifying a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscriber; and
a processor operable to re-format the customer frame into a second format, wherein the first VLAN tag is mapped to a second VLAN tag of a second predetermined bit length greater than the first predetermined bit length, the second VLAN tag identifying a service instance of the Ethernet access network, in the second format the customer frame being encapsulated inside a provider frame, with a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a destination device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device for connection to an Ethernet access network, comprising:
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a port to receive a customer frame; and
a processor operable to encapsulate the customer frame inside a provider frame, wherein a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with the DSLAM device, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a service node, the processor being further operable to add a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag having a bit field that identifies a service instance of the Ethernet access network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A device for connection to an Ethernet access network, comprising:
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means for receiving a customer frame; and
means for encapsulating the customer frame inside a provider frame, wherein a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a service node, and also for adding a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag with a bit field that identifies a service instance of the Ethernet access network.
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16. An Ethernet access network, comprising:
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a user-facing provider edge (u-PE) device configured to receive a customer frame from a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, the customer frame including a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag that identifies a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscriber, the u-PE device including means for encapsulating the customer frame inside a provider frame, wherein a provider source Media Access Control (MAC) address represents a MAC address associated with a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) device, and a provider destination MAC address represents a MAC address of a service node, the means also for adding a second VLAN tag with a bit field that identifies a service instance of the Ethernet access network; and
a network-facing provider edge (u-PE) device configured to forward the packet to the service node.
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Specification