Backbone provider bridging networks

摘要

An edge device is used to support a backbone provider bridging network to facilitate interconnection of a plurality of networks. The edge device is coupled between the backbone and a first one of the networks, and is operable to encapsulate data units received from the first network with a header, and to forward the encapsulated data unit to the backbone. The header is indicative of a tunnel that is used to support traffic from the first network to a second network over the backbone. The edge device also de-encapsulates data units received from the backbone that are destined for the first network.