Method and apparatus for processing labeled flows in a communications access network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a layer 2 switch configured to receive a first carrier-tagged traffic flow from a service edge via a first multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) switched path, the first carrier-tagged traffic flow having a carrier tag,wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to identify a second MPLS switched path based on a flow identifier included with the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, wherein the flow identifier comprises a pseudo-wire tag or a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag,wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to remove the flow identifier from the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, and to switch the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, after assigning a new carrier tag without the flow identifier, to a building aggregation system configured to aggregate a plurality of services via the second path.
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for managing access communications between the service edge of a communications service provider and a customer. Access communications are carried in the form of carrier-tagged flows, the communications traffic being appended with carrier tags having significance to handling of the traffic through access network elements. A building aggregation system is provided which couples to customer premise equipment and interfaces customer flows to carrier-tagged flows used in the access network.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a layer 2 switch configured to receive a first carrier-tagged traffic flow from a service edge via a first multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) switched path, the first carrier-tagged traffic flow having a carrier tag, wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to identify a second MPLS switched path based on a flow identifier included with the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, wherein the flow identifier comprises a pseudo-wire tag or a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag, wherein the layer 2 switch is further configured to remove the flow identifier from the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, and to switch the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, after assigning a new carrier tag without the flow identifier, to a building aggregation system configured to aggregate a plurality of services via the second path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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an interface configured to receive a first carrier-tagged traffic flow on a first multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) switched path between a service edge and a building aggregation system configured to aggregate a plurality of services, wherein the first carrier-tagged traffic flow has a carrier tag; and a processor configured to determine a first flow identifier associated with the carrier tag of the first carrier-tagged traffic flow, wherein the first flow identifier comprises a pseudo-wire tag or a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag, the processor being further configured to identify a second MPLS switched path between a layer 2 switch and one of the service edge or the building aggregation system based on the first flow identifier, the first carrier-tagged traffic flow being transmitted on the second path with the first flow identifier. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification