Patent ID: 9154447
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for stitching Ethernet networks, the method comprising: defining a core standard utilized by a core network, wherein the core standard is border gateway protocol (BGP) based virtual private local area network service (VPLS) with multi-home capability; receiving communications from a first communications network in at least a first regional standard, wherein the first regional standard includes one of a label distribution protocol (LDP) based VPLS, BGP based virtual private local area network service, or a layer 2 virtual local area network communication standard; identifying the first regional standard used in the communications; converting the communications from the first regional standard to the core standard based at least in part on a least common denominator for communications between the first network and the core network; sending the communications converted to the core standard across the core network, the core network in communication with the first communications network and a second communications network associated with a destination for the communications, the core network utilizing the core standard, wherein the first and second communications networks are regional metro Ethernet networks, and wherein the core network is a national metro Ethernet network; identifying a second regional standard, different from the first regional standard, used by the second communications network; and converting the communications from the core standard to the second regional standard utilized by the second communications network; and requiring each of the first and second communications networks to support conversion of the communications to and from the core standard.