Method and network element configured for limiting the number virtual local area networks creatable by GVRP

1. A Layer 2 device configured for providing at least one of bridging and switching functionality in a local area network, comprising:

computer-readable instructions contained in a memory and processed by a processor coupled to the memory for providing GVRP functionality;

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for limiting the total number of dynamic VLANs that said GVRP functionality creates on a Layer 2 device of a local area network and on all ports of a data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers; and

wherein said limiting the total number of dynamic VLANs includes:

determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on a GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN by checking a database of a GVRP control plane within the Layer 2 device wherein the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers is established by one of a default setting and a user selected setting and precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN at the Layer 2 device if creation of the new dynamic VLAN would cause the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded; and

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 Device from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN by checking the database of the GVRP control plane within the Layer 2 device wherein the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers is established by one of a default setting and a user selected setting and precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN at the Layer 2 device if creation of the new dynamic VLAN would cause the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for creating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers and on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded; and

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for activating an alarm warning about maximum number of dynamic VLANs about to be exceeded when the number of dynamic VLANs reaches a threshold level and deactivating the alarm warning about maximum number of dynamic VLANs about to be exceeded when the number of dynamic VLANs falls beneath the threshold level.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

4. The device of claim 2 , further comprising:

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

5. The device of claim 2 , further comprising:

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; and

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for distributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

6. The device of claim 5 , further comprising:

computer-readable instructions contained in the memory and processed by the processor for incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN, wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving a GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of a Layer 2 device of a local area network;

determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on the GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device of a local area network from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN;

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN;

creating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded and on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded; and

precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will cause at least one of the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device to be exceeded and the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs on any data plane card to be exceeded.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;

updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; and

distributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

10. A local area network including a Layer 2 device, the Layer 2 device comprising:

at least one data processing device;

instructions contained in a memory and processable by said at least one data processing device;

wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate:

providing GVRP functionality; and

limiting the total number of dynamic VLANs that said GVRP functionality creates on the Layer 2 device and on all ports of any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers; and

wherein said limiting the total number of dynamic plans involves:

determining that a dynamic VLAN advertised on a GVRP PDU frame requires creation of a new dynamic VLAN;

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN; and

determining whether a total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on all ports of any data plane card of the network system from all subscribers will be exceeded by creation of the new dynamic VLAN.

11. The local area network of claim 10 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate:

precluding creation of the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will cause at least one of the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded and on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded: and

creating the new dynamic VLAN in response to determining that creation of the new dynamic VLAN will not cause the total prescribed maximum number of dynamic VLANs permitted on the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded and on any data plane card of the Layer 2 device from all subscribers to be exceeded.

12. The local area network of claim 11 wherein said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.

13. The local area network of claim 11 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate:

incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN.

14. The local area network of claim 11 wherein said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate:

sending a VLAN creation notification to a control plane card of the Layer 2 device;

updating an information repository of the control plane card to reflect new information corresponding to the new dynamic VLAN; and

distributing at least a portion of said new information to at least one other data plane card of the Layer 2 device and to at least one requesting application of the control plane card.

15. The local area network of claim 14 wherein:

said instructions are configured for enabling said at least one data processing device to facilitate incrementing a VLAN counter by a single counter unit in response to creating the new dynamic VLAN; and

said providing GVRP functionality includes receiving the GVRP PDU frame on a data plane card application of the Layer 2 device.