Patent ID: 8165012
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of path protection in a communications network having a protection hub communicatively connected to a worker hub via a core protection path, and a provider edge device communicatively connected to the worker hub and the protection hub via a worker path and a protection path, respectively, the method comprising: detecting a failure in the communications network; indicating the failure in the communications network to at least one of the worker hub, the protection hub, and the provider edge device; utilizing the core protection path to communicate traffic flow if the failure is detected along a worker path; utilizing for protection the worker path and the protection path in parallel to communicate traffic flow only in response to the failure being detected along the core protection path; generating multiple copies of the traffic flow input to the worker hub; outputting one copy of the traffic flow to the protection hub; and forwarding another copy of the traffic flow onward for transmission in the communications network.