Using an external router to manage foreign data communication channel traffic

A gateway network element comprising:

• a first port, the first port being arranged to receive an optical signal including a link access protocol on a D channel (LAPD) encapsulated message from a network element having a stack associated with an OSI protocol and not an IP protocol, wherein the optical signal is compliant with the OSI protocol and the message includes information contained in a DCC (Data Communication Channel), and wherein the gateway network element has a stack associated with the IP protocol and not the OSI protocol;
• a retrieving mechanism, the retrieving mechanism being arranged to extract the information contained in the encapsulated message;
• a terminating mechanism, the terminating mechanism being arranged to terminate the LAPD;
• a second port, the second port being arranged to support a point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) session with an external router;
• and
• a sending mechanism, the sending mechanism being arranged to send the extracted information without the LAPD using the second port, wherein the extracted information is sent using the point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPoE) session and the IP protocol.

A gateway network element comprising:

• a first port, the first port being arranged to receive an optical signal including a link access protocol on a D channel (LAPD) encapsulated message from a network element having a stack associated with an OSI protocol and not an IP protocol, wherein the optical signal is compliant with the OSI protocol and the message includes information contained in a DCC (Data Communication Channel), and wherein the gateway network element has a stack associated with the IP protocol and not the OSI protocol;
• a second port, the second port being arranged to support a point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) session with an external router;
• and
• a processor to extract and send information contained in the DCC including:
• software code that cause information contained in the encapsulated message to be extracted;
• software code that cause the LAPD to be terminated;
• software code that cause the extracted information to be sent using the second port, wherein the extracted information is sent without the LAPD using the point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPoE) session and the IP protocol;
• and
• a memory that stores the software codes.

A gateway network element comprising:

• a first port, the first port being arranged to receive an optical signal including a link access protocol on a D channel (LAPD) encapsulated message from a network element having a stack associated with an OSI protocol and not an IP protocol, wherein the optical signal is compliant with the OSI protocol and the message includes information contained in a DCC (Data Communication Channel), and wherein the gateway network element has a stack associated with the IP protocol and not the OSI protocol;
• means for extracting the information contained in the encapsulated message:
• means for terminating the LAPD:,
• a second port, the second port being arranged to support a point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) session with an external router;
• and
• means for sending the extracted information using the second port, wherein the extracted information is sent without the LAPD using the point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPoE) session and the IP protocol.

A method for processing an optical signal received from an optical network element with an OSI stack, the method comprising:

• receiving the optical signal from the optical network element with the OSI stack at a network element without the OSI stack and with an IP stack, the optical signal being OSI compliant and including a DCC (Data Communication Channel) which contains an encapsulated message, the encapsulated message including information and being a link access protocol on a D channel (LAPD) encapsulated message;
• extracting the information from the encapsulated message;
• terminating usage of the link access protocol (LAPD) for the received optical signal;
• and sending the extracted information without the link access protocol (LAPD) using a point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) session and a IP protocol.

A router, the router being arranged to process an optical signal received from an optical network element with an OSI stack, the router comprising:

• a processor to extract and send information, wherein the router lacks the OSI stack and includes an IP stack, and said processor includes:
• software code that causes the reception of the optical signal, the optical signal being OSI-compliant and including a DCC (Data Communication Channel) which contains an encapsulated message, the encapsulated message including information and being a link access protocol on a D channel (LAPD) encapsulated message;
• software code that causes the extraction of the information from the encapsulated message;
• software code that causes the termination of usage of the link access protocol (LAPD) for the received optical signal;
• software code that causes the transmission of the information without the link access protocol (LAPD) using a point-to-point-over-Ethernet (PPPoE) session and a IP protocol;
• and
• a memory that stores the software codes.