LAYER-2 EXTENSION SERVICES

• US 20100265941A1
• Filed: 04/16/2010
• Published: 10/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Original Assignee: ViaSat Incorporated
• Inventors: Colaluca, Mark, Chandran, Girish, Lau, Jason, Foxworthy, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,804,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18591 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18595 Arrangements for adapting broadband applications to satellite systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4645 Details on frame tagging routing of packets H04L45/00; support for virtual LAN H04L49/354

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing layer-2 extension services through a non-routed ground segment network, are described. The method includes providing a Layer-2 (L2) interface between a node of the non-routed ground segment network and a service provider, assigning a virtual tagging tuple to the service provider and receiving service provider traffic at a node of the non-routed ground segment network. The method further includes tagging the service provider traffic with the virtual tagging tuple, and switching the tagged service provider traffic through the non-routed ground segment network according to the virtual tagging tuple.

Claims

1. A method for providing layer-2 extension services through a non-routed ground segment network, the method comprising:

providing a Layer-2 (L2) interface between a node of the non-routed ground segment network and a service provider;

assigning a virtual tagging tuple to the service provider;

receiving service provider traffic at a node of the non-routed ground segment network;

tagging the service provider traffic with the virtual tagging tuple; and

switching the tagged service provider traffic through the non-routed ground segment network according to the virtual tagging tuple.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the node of the non-routed ground segment network is a core node or a non-autonomous gateway.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is defined by an element indicating the service provider.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a location of a destination node.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a service offering.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the service provider is at least one of a DSL provider, an Internet service provider, or an enterprise customer.

7. A system for providing layer-2 extension services through a non-routed ground segment network, the system comprising:

a plurality of nodes of the non-routed ground segment network, the nodes in communication with each other over a substantially persistent layer-2 connection, wherein;

a first node is locally coupled with a layer-2 network associated with a service provider, the service provider being associated with a virtual tagging tuple;

a second node is in operative communication with a plurality of customers, the second node being geographically remote from the first node;

at least a portion of traffic communicated with the plurality of customers and associated with the service provider is tagged with the virtual tagging tuple; and

each of the plurality of nodes is configured to switch the portion of the traffic at L2 according to the virtual tagging tuple.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first node is a core node or a non-autonomous gateway.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is defined by an element indicating the service provider.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a location of a destination node.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a service offering.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the service provider is at least one of a DSL provider, an Internet service provider, or an enterprise customer.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein at least some of the nodes of the non-routed ground segment network are communicatively coupled via an IEEE 802.1Q trunk fiber, and at least one element of the virtual tagging tuple designates at least one stand of the iEEE 802.1Q trunk fiber.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the trunk fiber is defined according to a LAN PHY protocol.

15. A computer-readable medium for providing layer-2 extension services through a non-routed ground segment network, having sets of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the one or more computers to:

provide a Layer-2 (L2) interface between a node of the non-routed ground segment network and a service provider;

assign a virtual tagging tuple to the service provider;

receive service provider traffic at a node of the non-routed ground segment network;

tag the service provider traffic with the virtual tagging tuple; and

switch the tagged service provider traffic through the non-routed ground segment network according to the virtual tagging tuple.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the node of the non-routed ground segment network is a core node or a non-autonomous gateway.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is defined by an element indicating the service provider.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a location of a destination node.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the virtual tagging tuple is further defined by a second element indicating a service offering.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the service provider is at least one of a DSL provider, an Internet service provider, or an enterprise customer.