Patent ID: 8493980

Claim:
Apparatus including: a) at least one processor; and b) at least one storage device storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method including 1) receiving, by a first transport network edge device of a transport network, a copy of at least one message, the at least one message collectively including a first field for identifying a layer 2 virtual private network to which a newly added customer edge device belongs, 2) determining, by the first transport network edge device, whether the first transport network edge device services a customer edge device belonging to the layer 2 virtual private network identified in the first field, and 3) responsive to a determination that the first transport network edge device belongs to the layer 2 virtual private network identified in the first field, generating information to allow any customer edge devices that both (1) access the transport network via the first transport network edge device, and (2) belong to the layer 2 virtual private network identified in the first field, to communicate with the newly added customer edge device, and otherwise either (A) discarding the copy of the at least one message, or (B) storing at least some of the information contained in the copy of the at least one message at the first transport network edge device.