DOWNLINK SERVICE PATH DETERMINATION FOR MULTIPLE SUBSCRIPTION BASED SERVICES IN PROVIDER EDGE NETWORK

摘要

A method performed in a network element of a provider edge network to determine a downlink service path for a downlink packet. The method includes preserving an indication of the downlink service path while processing an uplink packet that has been transmitted from a subscriber end station toward a provider end station. The method also includes receiving the downlink packet at a line card of the network element. The downlink packet has been transmitted from the provider end station toward the subscriber end station. The method further includes determining, at the line card, the downlink service path for the downlink packet by using the indication of the downlink service path that was preserved while processing the uplink packet. The downlink service path is operable to identify a plurality of services and an order in which the plurality of services are to be performed on the downlink packet.