AN ADDRESS RESOLUTION OPTIMIZATION PROCEDURE TO EFFECT A GRADUAL CUTOVER FROM A PROVIDER BRIDGE NETWORK TO A VPLS OR PROVIDER BACKBONE BRIDGING NETWORK

摘要

A method and apparatus that operates two bridging protocols in a hybrid bridging node (204D) is described. The operation of the two bridging protocols in the hybrid node allows for an incremental transition of a provider bridging network from operating a legacy bridging protocol that shares MAC addresses to a bridging network that operates VPLS and or PBB bridging protocols. The hybrid bridging node selectively broadcasts address resolution packets and unicast packets with unknown MAC addresses from the nodes operating VPLS and or PBB to nodes operating a legacy bridging protocol.