Method for extending MPLS tunnels to the customer interface

摘要

With the present invention, a Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) tunnel is extended from the ingress router to the ingress customer interface, and from the egress router to the egress customer interface, by means of stitching. Stitching is used to provide customers with virtual leased lines between two interfaces by extending MPLS tunnels from a router to a customer interface. Also, with the present invention tunnels can be "stitched" together between two domains. More specifically, the present invention provides customers with virtual leased lines between two routing domains (i.e., between two Autonomous Systems) by connecting two separate MPLS tunnels across the interface between the domains. <IMAGE>