Patent ID: 8953590
Filing Date: 2015-02-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving, at a first multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) edge switch, a layer two (L2) communication from a first one of a plurality of customer networks via an attachment circuit coupling the first MPLS edge switch to the first one of the plurality of customer networks, wherein the L2 communication includes a media access control (MAC) address for a customer device within the first customer network, wherein the first MPLS edge switch is one of a plurality of the first MPLS edge switches that provide a layer two (L2) virtual private network (VPN) through a provider network for the plurality of customer networks, and wherein the first one of the customer networks is coupled to a second one of the MPLS edge switches of the VPN by a second attachment circuit that forms a multi-homed, Ethernet segment with the first attachment circuit; and outputting a control plane routing protocol message from the first MPLS edge switch to at least one other MPLS edge switch within the provider network, wherein the routing protocol message announces the MAC address of the customer device and an identifier for the Ethernet segment on which the L2 communication was received.