Patent ID: 7898982
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for discovering network endpoint virtual local area network (VLAN) associations, comprising: receiving by an IEEE 802.1ag maintenance endpoint (MEP) at a particular IEEE 802.1ag type maintenance association (MA) level from a source MEP, a request for identifying one or more VLAN endpoints at the particular MA level, wherein the request includes an IEEE 802.1ag type maintenance association level (MAL) field that identifies a service provider MA level or an operator MA level and a query type field identifying a VLAN discovery request; when the MAL field in the request identifies the particular maintenance level of the MEP, determining by the MEP whether a port associated with the MEP is a member of the VLAN identified in the request; and when a port associated with the MEP is a member of the VLAN, transmitting by the MEP to the source MEP a reply identifying the port and the VLAN.