Methods and apparatus for automated edge device configuration in a heterogeneous network

Abstract

A PE device learns the address of a local CE device by monitoring the control messages, such as address resolution messages, originating from those local devices. In one embodiment, automated configuration of the PE devices participating in a Layer 2 VPN is facilitated by permitting a PE device to share the addresses for its locally-attached CE devices with the remote PE devices in the VPN. A PE device may share the addresses of the remote CE devices with the local CE devices by initiating its own control message or responding to an control message issued by one of its local CE devices. This latter mechanism in effect hides the distributed, heterogeneous nature of the network from a local CE device.

1 . In a device bridging data link layer protocols and network layer protocols, a method of resolving network addresses between network devices on a heterogeneous network, the method comprising:
 gathering information from a control message concerning a first device in communication with a first data link;   receiving packets from a second device in communication with a second data link, the first and second data links using different data link layer protocols;   providing the gathered information to a third device, the third device in communication with the second device through the second data link; and   transmitting the packets to the first device using the gathered information concerning the first device.   
     
     
         2 - 28 . (canceled)