Patent ID: 8588209
Filing Date: 2013-11-19
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A distribution network, comprising: a backbone network comprising a plurality of network switches configured to communicate a plurality of time division multiplexed (TDM) data streams, wherein at least one of the TDM data streams comprise timeslots that carry a TDM voice data, a high performance flow (HPF) data, and a best-effort packet (BEP) data, wherein the backbone network is coupled to a plurality of services that provide the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data to the backbone network, wherein the backbone network is coupled to an access network that communicates the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data to a plurality of service users, wherein one of the network switches is configured to communicate the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data using an Ethernet packet that comprises a single header and a payload, wherein the payload of the Ethernet packet comprises the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data, wherein each Ethernet packet comprises only a single Ethernet header, wherein the single header of the Ethernet packet comprises a timeslot map that specifies the data types and the locations of the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data within the payload, wherein a second network switch is configured to communicate the TDM voice data, the HPF data, and the BEP data using a synchronous optical network (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) frame comprising an overhead section and a payload section, wherein the BEP data comprises a BEP header and a BEP payload, and wherein no additional signaling information is appended to the header of BEP data when the BEP data is communicated through the backbone network using the SONET/SDH frame.