Techniques for routing data between network areas

Abstract

Techniques for routing data between network area are disclosed, In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for routing data between layer 2 network areas of backbone bridges comprising the steps of receiving data at a network element containing an internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI) for a plurality of network areas, identifying a destination address associated with the data, determining a network area of the plurality of network areas associated with the data, and performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data using the internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI).

1 . A method for routing data between layer 2 network areas of backbone bridges comprising the steps of:
 receiving data at a network element containing an internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI) for a plurality of network areas;   identifying a destination address associated with the data;   determining a network area of the plurality of network areas associated with the data; and   performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data using the internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data comprises routing the data to the determined network area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data comprises at least one of: network traffic policing; firewall functionality; network traffic metering; and network intrusion detection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network areas comprise Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network areas comprise Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the Virtual Local Area Networks are associated with a Service Instance VLAN ID (I-SID). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the network element is associated with a plurality of Service Instance VLAN IDs and performing one or more data flow treatments utilizes at least one of the plurality of Service Instance VLAN IDs. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the destination address comprises a backbone Media Access Control (B-MAC) address. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the network area associated with the data comprises using a Service Instance VLAN ID (I-SID) associated with the data to determine the network area. 
     
     
         10 . At least one processor readable storage medium for storing a computer program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a computer process for performing the method as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . An article of manufacture for routing data between layer 2 network areas of backbone bridges, the article of manufacture comprising:
 at least one processor readable storage medium; and   instructions stored on the at least one storage medium;   wherein the instructions are configured to be readable from the at least one storage medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to:
 receive data at a network element containing an internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI) for a plurality of network areas; 
 identify a destination address associated with the data; 
 determine a network area of the plurality of network areas associated with the data; and 
 perform one or more data flow treatments associated with the data using the internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI). 
   
     
     
         12 . A system for routing data between network areas comprising:
 one or more processors communicatively coupled to a network element; wherein the network element is configured to:
 receive data at a network element containing an internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI) for a plurality of network areas; 
 identify a destination address associated with the data; 
 determine a network area of the plurality of network areas associated with the data; and 
 perform one or more data flow treatments associated with the data using the internally terminated Network to Network Interface (NNI). 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data comprises routing the data to the determined network area. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein performing one or more data flow treatments associated with the data comprises at least one of: network traffic policing; firewall functionality; network traffic metering; and network intrusion detection. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the network areas comprise Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the network areas comprise Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the Virtual Local Area Networks are associated with a Service Instance VLAN ID (I-SID). 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the network element is associated with a plurality of Service Instance VLAN IDs and performing one or more data flow treatments utilizes at least one of the plurality of Service Instance VLAN IDs. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the destination address comprises a backbone Media Access Control (B-MAC) address. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein determining the network area associated with the data comprises the network element using a Service Instance VLAN ID (I-SID) associated with the data to determine the network area.