Patent ID: 8243619
Filing Date: 2012-08-14
Classification: H04J,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving a generic framing procedure (GFP) frame sent from a first network element to a second network element over a working link or a protection link between the first network element and the second network element, wherein the GFP frame comprises a payload area including a variable length client payload field and a payload header that is at one end of the variable length client payload field so that the payload header is transmitted before the variable length client payload field, and a command field comprising protection switch information, wherein the command field is appended to the other end of the variable length client payload field within the GFP frame; comparing at the second network element the command field of the GFP frame to a command field of a previously received GFP frame to find a difference between the command fields; and generating an interrupt in response to finding a difference between the command fields, wherein the interrupt ceases transmission over the working link by the second network element.