Patent ID: 7581035
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for non-disruptively modifying a network having a control node and a plurality of additional non-control nodes physically connected in a ring, comprising: receiving a first indication from a first non-control node of the plurality of additional non-control nodes that the first non-control node will be physically removed from the network, the first indication having been generated by the first non-control node in response to actuation by a user of a topology change notification mechanism implemented as a physical actuation mechanism on the first node; in response to the receipt of the first indication, modifying data flow in the network to avoid data flow through the first non-control node while maintaining the data flow in the network; receiving a second indication that the first non-control node has been physically removed and that the ring has been reconnected; and resuming the data flow over the ring network in response to receiving the second indication.