IEEE Draft Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks---Media Access Control (MAC) Bridges and Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks

This standard specifies how the MAC Service is supported by Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks, the principles of operation of those networks, and the operation of VLAN-aware Bridges, including management, protocols, and algorithms. The amendments that were specified in IEEE Std 802.1AD enable a service provider to use the architecture and protocols defined in this standard to offer the equivalent of separate LANs, Bridged Local Area Networks, or Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks to a number of customers, while requiring no cooperation between the customers, and minimal cooperation between each customer and the service provider.