Patent ID: 8085791
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving configuration information on a layer two (L2) network device via an L2 control protocol that allows a layer three (L3) network device to control provision of L2 functionality by the L2 network device, wherein the configuration information specifies a set of subscriber labels to be individually allocated to access lines that extend between subscriber devices and the L2 network device and provide the subscriber devices with access to the L2 network device, wherein the configuration information specifies individual allocation by the L3 network device of subscriber labels to access lines, and wherein the subscriber labels uniquely identify the subscriber devices associated with the access lines; receiving an L2 frame from a subscriber device coupled via an access line to the L2 network device; with the L2 network device, selecting a subscriber label for the subscriber device based on the individual allocation specified by the configuration information, wherein the selected subscriber label uniquely identifies the subscriber device associated with the access line; with the L2 network device, selecting a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) label to apply to the L2 frame from a set of MPLS labels, wherein the selected MPLS label is associated with the L3 network device; applying the selected subscriber label and the selected MPLS label in a data plane of the L2 network device to the received L2 frame to form an MPLS packet, wherein the subscriber label is applied as an inner label and the MPLS label is applied as an outer label of the MPLS packet; and outputting the MPLS packet from the L2 network device to an MPLS network.