System and method for indicating classification of a communications flow

摘要

System and method for providing a layer 2 switch in the access network that switches based upon one or more carrier tags identifying customer traffic. Customer traffic conforming to any variety of different layer 1 or layer 2 protocols may be encapsulated and identified according to carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may determine how to handle the traffic by interpreting and manipulating the carrier tag values. The layer 2 switch may be capable of switching TDM input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic, and switching packetized input traffic to either TDM or packet output traffic. Handling classification values may also be processed by the layer 2 switch to affect prioritization of handling of encapsulated traffic.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, at one of a plurality of network elements, communication data comprising a first carrier tag having a first handling classification field and a first handling classification value included in the first handling classification field; determining per-hop behavior based on the first handling classification value; determining whether one of the plurality of network elements is in a first position relative to a service edge; responsive to a determination that the one of the plurality of network elements is in the first position, forwarding the communication data to the service edge; responsive to a determination that the one of the plurality of network elements is not in the first position, determining whether the per-hop behavior resulted in a second carrier tag comprising a second handling classification field being added to the communication data; responsive to a determination that a second carrier tag has not been added, processing the communication data in accordance with the first handling classification value to forward the communication data to a next network element; and responsive to a determination that a second carrier tag has been added, populating the second handling classification field and setting a second handling classification value based on the first handling classification value prior to forwarding the communication data comprising the second handling classification field to the next network element.