In the example of FIG. 1, for ease of explanation, service provider network 20 is shown having three edge routers 30-32, although the service provider network may typically service thousands or tens of thousands of edge routers. For example, edge router 30 may represent a mobile gateway, for example, a gateway general packet radio service (GPRS) serving node (GGSN), an access gateway (aGW), or a packet gateway (P-GW). Edge routers 30-32 may include a plurality of service virtual LANs (SVLANs) that partition elements of access network (e.g., DSLAMs) into logically different networks. Different subscriber devices 18 may therefore connect to edge routers 30-32 using different SVLANs.
As shown in FIG. 1, service provider network 20 may provide subscriber devices 18B with access to aggregation network 24 via radio signals. For example, edge router 30 may be connected to one or more wireless radios or base stations to wirelessly exchange packetized data with subscriber devices 18B. The packetized data may then be communicated through aggregation network 24 of the service provider and ultimately to public network 22.
Aggregation network 24 provides session management, mobility management, and transport services to support access, by subscriber devices 18, to public network 22. Edge routers 30-32 provide an anchor point of active sessions for subscriber devices 18. Edge routers 30-32 may maintain session data and operate as a termination point for communication sessions established with subscriber devices 18 that are currently accessing packet-based services of public network 22 via aggregation network 24.
