Stackable virtual local area network provisioning in bridged networks

The method involves obtaining a backbone VLAN Identifier and selecting a set of backbone VLAN trunks. The backbone VLAN ID is associated with each backbone VLAN trunk. The selection and association of the backbone VLAN ID with each backbone VLAN trunk are undertaken irrespective of an in-use and a stand-by designation of each backbone VLAN trunk. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a method of provisioning a stackable trunk port (b) a backbone VLAN provisioning human-machine interface (c) a network management system. A method and human-machine interface for backbone Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) provisioning in bridged networking environments are provided. The method includes steps of provisioning backbone VLAN support on every backbone data transport trunk and by extension of every stackable data trunk port in the associated data transport network. The human-machine interface enables an operator to expediently effect VLAN provisioning abstracting the intricacies of the data transport network over which VLAN services are provisioned. Advantages are derived from backbone VLAN provisioning independent of an underlying in-use active spanning-tree topology. In particular backbone VLANs are provisioned over spanning-tree stand-by designated backbone data transport trunk links and therefore pre-provisioned in the case of spanning-tree re-configuration. Customer VLANs are mapped onto backbone VLANs ensuring data traffic differentiation, and providing standard VLAN identifier portability. Operator VLAN provisioning tasks are lessened via provisions for the selection of all backbone/stackable data transport trunk links/ports in the data transport network in effecting VLAN identifier associations therebetween.