Pay-as-you-grow gradual cutover method to scale a provider bridge network to a VPLS or provider backbone bridging network
US7965711B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size
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Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 15, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/604
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus that operates two bridging protocols in a hybrid bridging node is described. The operation of the two bridging protocols in the hybrid node allows for an incremental transition of a provider bridging network from operating a legacy bridging protocol that shares MAC addresses to a bridging network that operates VPLS and/or PBB bridging protocols. The hybrid bridging node selectively broadcasts unicast packets with unknown MAC addresses from the nodes operating VPLS and/or PBB to nodes operating a legacy bridging protocol.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.