UPF Ethernet Bridging with Dynamic MAC Learning and VLAN Handling

The patent introduces dynamic filtering entries in the FDB that allow the UPF to learn MAC addresses dynamically from incoming Ethernet frames and update its forwarding database automatically. This transforms the static forwarding configuration into a dynamic system that can adapt to changing network conditions and MAC address assignments while maintaining efficient forwarding performance.

The patent enables the UPF to perform self-learning of MAC addresses by examining incoming Ethernet frames and automatically populating the FDB with learned MAC-to-interface mappings. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual SMF configuration of MAC addresses while maintaining configuration simplicity for static entries, allowing the system to handle both configured and dynamically learned addresses.

The patent merges multiple VLAN traffic streams into a single N19 tunnel by implementing VLAN tagging and identification mechanisms within the tunnel. The UPF maintains VLAN-to-interface mapping information in its FDB, allowing it to preserve VLAN isolation and routing correctness while consolidating multiple VLANs into one tunnel, thereby improving system efficiency compared to establishing separate tunnels for each VLAN.

The patent implements a two-stage approach where the UPF first performs preliminary MAC address learning from incoming frames and stores these mappings in the FDB. When packet detection rules need to be created, the UPF can then generate PDR rules based on previously learned MAC addresses. This preliminary learning action enables the system to handle unknown MAC addresses flexibly while maintaining accurate forwarding when addresses are known.