Patent ID: 8077709
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving configuration data at a particular node of a virtual edge node, the first virtual edge node including a plurality of network facing provider edge (NPE) nodes each connected both to a core network that uses a tunneling protocol and an aggregation network, the configuration data including data identifying that the particular node is a primary node, of the plurality of NPE nodes, for one or more particular virtual local area network (VLAN) instances in a plurality of VLAN instances, wherein the aggregation network includes a second virtual edge node including a plurality of user facing provider edge (UPE) nodes that communicate with the plurality of VLAN instances, identifying, in a data packet received at the particular node, an indication that the first data packet corresponds to a first VLAN; determining that the VLAN is included in the one or more particular VLAN instances for which the particular node is the primary node; and forwarding the data packet based at least in part on the determination that the first VLAN is included in the one or more particular VLAN.