Patent ID: 6717909
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: H04B,H04L

Abstract:
An Ethernet protection system, comprising: a first Ethernet communication device operable to be connected to first and second Ethernet lines forming a parallel connection and select the first Ethernet line and transmit and receive data over the first Ethernet line, and upon detecting a failure in the first Ethernet line, automatically select the second Ethernet line and transmit and receive data over the second Ethernet line, wherein the first Ethernet communication device comprises:a first Ethernet card module operable to be connected to the first Ethernet line; a second Ethernet card module operable to be connected to the second ethernet line; and a switching device connected to the first and second Ethernet card modules and a communication line, the switching device operable to switch a connection to the communication line between the first and second Ethernet card modules, to detect a failure state from the first Ethernet card module and switch the connection to the communication line from the first Ethernet card module to the second Ethernet card module upon the detection of the failure state, wherein the failure sttates are classified according to first and second failure classes, and the switching device is operable to enter a revertive mode upon detecting a failure state in the first class, and enter a non-revertive mode upon detecting a failure state in the second class.