Patent ID: 7433359

Claim:
A virtual private network (VPN), comprising: a first core network and a second core network, each core network comprising a SONET over shared label switching network; a plurality of Virtual Local Access Networks (VLANs), each coupled to a Multiservice Provisioning Platform (MSPP) of the first and second core networks, the VLANs each communicating traffic with a corresponding MSPP utilizing Ethernet over a plurality of Ethernet interfaces; and the MSPP interfacing the VLANs with the first and second core networks based, in part, on the plurality of Ethernet interfaces, wherein the MSPP comprises a first half bridge operable to only replicate traffic entering the first core network, only learn layer 2 address information from the first core network, and perform split horizon forwarding, and wherein the MSPP comprises a second half bridge operable to only replicate traffic entering the second core network, only learn layer 2 address information from the second core network, and perform split horizon forwarding.