Techniques for using first sign of life at edge nodes for a virtual private network

An apparatus for processing a signal on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising:

• means for receiving a signal on a particular interface of a particular node at an edge of a provider network;
• means for determining whether the signal indicates that the particular interface is changing from an inactive state to an active state, whereby the signal is called a first sign of life (FSOL);
• means for determining configuration data for configuring the particular interface for a particular virtual private network over the provider network, if it is determined that the signal is a FSOL;
• and
• means for processing the signal based on the configuration data,
• wherein
• the provider network is a packet-switched network;
• the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network;
• and
• the particular interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network.

An apparatus for configuring a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network to support a virtual private network, comprising:

• a provider network interface that is coupled to a provider network for communicating therewith a data packet;
• a customer network interface that is coupled to customer premises equipment outside the provider network for communicating therewith a data packet;
• one or more processors;
• a computer-readable medium;
• and
• one or more sequences of instructions stored in the computer-readable medium, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out the step of:
• receiving a signal on the customer network interface;
• determining whether the signal indicates that a particular interface on the customer network interface is changing from an inactive state to an active state, whereby the signal is called a first sign of life (FSOL);
• if it is determined that the signal is a FSOL, then determining configuration data for configuring the particular interface for a particular virtual private network over the provider network;
• and
• processing the signal based on the configuration data,
• wherein
• the provider network is a packet-switched network;
• the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network;
• and
• the particular interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network.