Method and apparatus for the creation and maintenance of a self-adjusting repository of service level diagnostics test points for network based VPNs

A Label Switching Paths (LSP) discovery system comprising:

• an LSP discovery database in communication with at least one client;
• a default routing table in communication with said LSP discovery database and with at least one routing process;
• at least one VPN routing table in communication with said LSP discovery database and with said at least one routing process;
• and
• a routing process for distributing routing information into said routing tables, and wherein said system is capable of producing and maintaining a repository of service level test points for network based Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in said LSP discovery database.

A system for producing and maintaining a repository of service level test points for network based Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) comprising:

• means for selecting to perform said method for a single Autonomous System (AS) configuration or for a multiple AS configuration in a network for at least one VPN of interest;
• when said selecting results in selecting a single AS configuration, then:
• means for finding next hops for said at least one VPN of interest;
• means for finding VPN prefixes associated with said at least one VPN of interest;
• and
• means for determining a set of Label Switching Paths (LSPs) in use for said at least one VPN of interest from said next hops and said VPN prefixes;
• when said selecting results in selecting a multiple AS configuration, then:
• means for finding routers in a present AS associated with said at least one VPN of interest;
• and
• means for finding all Provider Edge (PE) routers and Autonomous System Border Routers (ASBRs) associated with said at least one VPN of interest;
• means for determining a set of LSPs in use for said at least one VPN of interest from said routers;
• and
• means for making said set of LSPs available to other processes.