Providing gateway functionality in a virtual private network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a signaling method and a network element for a virtual private network, wherein a request for dropping a signaling of the virtual private network is transmitted from a network element (DXD) to a proceeding network element (DXC), if the network element (DXD) detects that the virtual private network signaling cannot be continued through a connection of the telecommunication network. A predetermined network element (DXB) is provided for transmitting a transparency information indicating a virtual private network signaling transparency to an originating network element (DVA) of the connection in response to the receipt of the dropping request, and the virtual private network signaling is collected at the predetermined network element. (DXB) Thereby, the public network operator is allowed to optimize the VPN signaling load and service provision by arranging the predetermined network element (DXB) at a suitable location in the transmission network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.