A unique RVID is used for each spoke node to identify traffic flowing from that spoke node to the hub and from the hub to the spoke. Spoke nodes perform MAC learning on any frame containing their assigned unique RVID and only bridge traffic received on the ring to a client port if the traffic contains their assigned RVID. Thus, MAC learning at the spoke is localized to client routes, or to routes of interest that pass through the hub. The hub node learns C-VID/RVID-ringport bindings for traffic on the ring. When a frame is received on the ring, the hub will use the C-VID and RVID to determine the I-SID and forward the traffic onto the external network. When a frame is received from the external network, the hub node will use the I-SID & C-VID to determine the RVID of the spoke node, and then use the C-VID & RVID to determine, from its forwarding database, which ringport should be used to output the frame.