Operation methods in an ethernet passive optical network that includes a network unit with multiple entities

A method for packet data flow optimization in a passive optical network (PON) that includes an optical line terminal (OLT) and a plurality of optical network units (ONUs) of which at least one is a multiple entity ONU having a bridge, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. determining, by the multiple entity ONU, if a packet received by the multiple entity ONU:
• i. originates from the OLT or from an originating user port;
• and
• ii. is a broadcast packet or has a destination user port,
• b. if said packet originates from the OLT,
• i. if said destination user port of said packet is according to the multiple entity ONU, transmitting said packet to said destination user port;
• and
• ii. if said packet is a broadcast packet, transmitting said packet to all user ports of the multiple entity ONU,
• c. if said packet originates from said originating user port, the multiple entity ONU:
• i. learns said source address (SA) of said packet;
• ii. searches for a destination address of said packet on said multiple entity ONU;
• iii. if said destination address is not found, transmitting said packet solely to the OLT;
• iv. else
• A. if said packet has a destination user port, transmitting said packet to a user port;
• and
• B. if said packet is a broadcast packet, transmitting said packet to the OLT and all user ports except said originating user port,
• d. wherein the OLT
• i. upon receiving said packet, learns the SA of said packet;
• and
• ii. performs a search for said destination user port of said packet and subsequently:
• A. if said search results in the OLT knowing said destination user port, transmitting said packet to the multiple entity ONU having said destination user port;
• and
• B. else transmitting said packet to all user ports of the PON, except said originating user port.