Dynamic building of VLAN interfaces based on subscriber information strings

US7944918B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Juniper Networks, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Linda M. Cabeca · Waltham, US
• Mathias Kokot · Birkenfeld, DE
• Jerome P. Moisand · Arlington, US
• Vitali Vinokour · Brookline, US
• Thomas Lemaire · Acton, US
• Karen Ruben · Lexington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 11, 2009
• Grant date: May 17, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 11, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L45/52
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Techniques are described that allow a network device, such as a router, to dynamically build VLAN interfaces based on subscriber information strings included within packets. In particular, the network device comprises an interface controller and a forwarding controller, where the forwarding controller receives the packet over an Ethernet port and forwards the received packet to the interface controller. The packet includes both Ethernet tagging information and a subscriber information string. The interface controller comprises an Ethernet module that dynamically builds a primary virtual local area network (VLAN) sub-interface (PVS) based on the Ethernet tagging information. The Ethernet module also dynamically builds a subscriber VLAN sub-interface (SVS) based on the subscriber information string. The SVS allows the network device to distinguish between subscribers residing on the same VLAN, and, therefore, to provide subscriber specific services.