Techniques for oversubscribing edge nodes for virtual private networks

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 automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated;
• and
• means for initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD,
• wherein
• the provider network is a packet-switched network;
• the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer;
• 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:
• automatically determining whether communications are terminated over a particular attachment circuit on a network interface on an intermediate network node at an edge of a provider network, which attachment circuit is switched with a particular virtual private network, whereby a sign of death (SOD) on the particular attachment circuit is indicated;
• and
• if it is determined that there is an indication of the SOD, then initiating a new network action in response to the SOD on the particular attachment circuit
• wherein
• the provider network is a packet-switched network;
• the particular virtual private network is a link layer virtual private network encapsulated in a protocol above the link layer;
• and
• the particular interface is for a direct communication link to a customer network node outside the provider network.