Leaky ethernet trees

A network device comprising:

• a data plane component to:
• receive, via a channel, an Ethernet frame from a first leaf user-to-network interface (UNI) of a tree service in which the network device participates, the tree service comprising the first leaf UNI, a second leaf UNI, and a root UNI, wherein the Ethernet frame includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag;
• when the VLAN tag includes a first value,
• select a first network path included in the tree service, and
• send the Ethernet frame over the first network path, from the network device through the root UNI to the second leaf UNI;
• when the VLAN tag includes a second value,
• select a second network path that is not included the tree service, and
• send the Ethernet frame over the second network path, from the network device to the second leaf UNI without passing through the root UNI;
• and
• when the VLAN tag does not include the first value and the second value,
• drop the Ethernet frame.

A virtual circuit, comprising:

• a root user-to-network interface (UNI);
• a first leaf UNI configured to send an Ethernet service frame;
• a second leaf UNI;
• a network element, which participates in a tree service, configured to:
• receive the Ethernet service frame from the first leaf UNI, wherein the tree service comprises the first leaf UNI, the second leaf UNI, and the root UNI, and wherein the Ethernet service frame includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) tag;
• when the VLAN tag includes a first value,
• select a first network path included in the tree service, and
• send the Ethernet service frame over the first network path, from the network element through the root UNI to the second leaf UNI;
• when the VLAN tag includes a second value,
• select a second network path that is not included the tree service, and
• send the Ethernet service frame over the second network path, from the network element to the second leaf UNI without passing through the root UNI;
• and
• when the VLAN tag does not include the first value and the second value, drop the Ethernet service frame.