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Methods, apparatus and data structures for segmenting customers using at least a portion of a layer 2 address header or bits in the place of a layer 2 address header

  • US 6,850,495 B1
  • Filed: 08/31/2000
  • Issued: 02/01/2005
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for provisioning services to packets sourced from a number of client devices, the method comprising:

  • a) accepting a packet sourced from one of the number of client devices, wherein the packet has had at least a part of a layer 2 header replaced with a unique bit string, wherein the layer 2 header is an Ethernet header, wherein when the unique bit string replaces the at least a part of the layer 2 header a modified header is generated, wherein a bit-size of the modified header is the same as that of the Ethernet header, and wherein the unique bit string is independent of any contents of the packet;

    b) determining whether or not the packet is entitled to access a particular service using at least a portion of the unique bit string; and

    c) if it is determined that the packet is entitled to access the particular service, then routing the packet.

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