Ring protection network division

Examples herein involve dividing a ring protection network into multiple ring protection networks. Examples include detecting a disconnection in a ring protection network, determining whether an owner of the ring protection network is in a new ring protection network divided from the ring protection network, and establishing an owner of the new ring protection network based on whether the owner of the ring protection network is in the new ring protection network.

BACKGROUND

In a datacenter, network modules (e.g., Ethernet switches, Virtual Connect fabrics, etc.) may be linked to enhance connectivity and redundancy. Network modules may be linked in a variety of topologies. A ring topology provides a redundant path between each network module connected in a ring. Accordingly, a network module may be connected between two other network modules using two separate communication links. In some examples, the two communication links may send data, messages, packets, etc. in opposite directions (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise) around the ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples disclosed herein involve a ring protection network module to facilitate dividing a ring protection network into multiple ring protection networks. In examples herein, ring protection network modules may configure new ring protection networks from a single ring protection network by automatically selecting an owner network module for the new ring protection networks. In examples herein, the ring protection networks may include ring protection networks, in which an owner of the ring protection network controls communication between the ring protection network (e.g., a management network) and another network (e.g., a service network) and preserves the integrity of the ring protection network ((e.g., by preventing loops in customer traffic within the ring protection network or between the ring protection network and a service network).

Datacenters may include a plurality of servers or a plurality of enclosures including the servers. Communication between the servers may be facilitated using network modules. The example network modules may be configured in a management network ring, and the network modules may additionally be connected to a service network of a plurality of customer devices. Loops between the network modules and the service network may overload customer traffic causing performance degradation. Furthermore, disconnecting network modules may cause issues with managing loops in the customer traffic. For example, problems may arise when a new ring protection network that is created from a previous ring protection network (by disconnecting and rejoining two end network modules) does not include or identify an owner as the newly created ring protection network may then create a loop in the customer traffic with no owner to prevent the loop. In examples herein, when a newly created ring protection network is formed within a threshold period of time, an owner may be automatically identified or selected to ensure proper operation of the newly formed ring protection networks.

In examples herein, ring protection network modules and protocols facilitate automatic configuration of ring protection networks (e.g. management ring protection networks, such as a ring protection network) created from a ring protection network. More specifically, ring division managers of example ring protection network modules may detect when two ring protection network modules are disconnected from one another, detect a reconnection to another ring protection network module to form a new ring protection network, and determine a single owner of the newly created ring protection network from the previous ring protection network. The owner of the newly created ring protection networks may then establish a single uplink from the ring protection networks to a service network to prevent customer traffic loops in the ring protection networks or between the ring protection networks and the service network.

As used herein, a ring protection network is divided into multiple ring protected networks when the multiple ring protected networks form multiple disjoined ring protection networks comprised of the same network modules from the original ring protection network.

FIG. 1Aillustrates a ring protection network system100including a management ring protection network120. The management ring protection network120comprises ring protection network modules102a-102fconfigured in a ring. For purposes of readability, the example network modules102a-102fofFIG. 1Amay be referred to herein collectively as the network modules102. The network modules102include ring division managers110constructed in accordance with this disclosure. In examples herein, the ring division managers110ofFIG. 1automatically configure newly formed ring protection networks created from the network modules102of the ring protection network120(e.g., by identifying or assigning owners for the newly formed ring protection networks)

The ring protection network inFIG. 1Ais formed into a “ring” as each network module102is linked to two other network modules102in a ring formation such that network module102ais connected to network module102b, which is connected to network module102c, which is connected to network module102f, which is connected to network module102e, which is connected to network module102d, which is connected to network module102ato complete the ring protection network. As used herein, network modules are considered connected to one another when the network modules (e.g., the network modules102a-102f) are directly communicatively coupled using a dedicated wired connection (e.g., an Ethernet connection) and disconnected from one another when the network modules are no longer directly communicatively coupled. The example dedicated wired connection may facilitate communication between the network modules using a variety of protocols (e.g., seeFIG. 3).

The example system100ofFIG. 1may control a datacenter (e.g., a system of servers, etc.) that communicates or provides services to a service network130. The example service network130may include a plurality of client or customer devices (e.g., computers, mobile devices, or any other type of computing device) that may access information in the datacenter of the system100. The ring protection network120ofFIG. 1Amay include a single uplink122to the service network130to prevent a loop in customer traffic within the ring protection network120.

In examples disclosed herein the network modules102may facilitate communication between servers in communication with each of the network modules102. For example, each of the network modules102ofFIG. 1Amay manage communication with one or more servers. In some examples, the network modules102may be configured in pairs to manage communications for a server enclosure having a plurality of servers. In such an example, the pairs of network modules102may provide redundancy or backup services in the event one of the network modules102of a pair fails. The example ring protection networks120ofFIG. 1Amay be a G.8032 network.

In examples disclosed herein, the ring protection network120may be divided into multiple ring protection networks using the ring division managers110of the network modules102(e.g., two ring protection networks of three network modules, three ring protection networks of two network modules, two ring protection networks, one with four network modules and one with 2 network modules, etc.). For example, the ring division managers110may facilitate division of the ring protection network120into two ring protection networks130,140as illustrated inFIG. 1B(e.g., seeFIGS. 4A-4E) using communication protocols (seeFIG. 3) of the network modules102in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. An example implementation of a ring division manager110of the network modules102that may be used to implement the ring division manager110ofFIG. 1in accordance with aspects of this disclosure is further discussed below in connection withFIG. 2.

InFIG. 1B, a first ring protection network140is formed from the network modules102a,102b,102cofFIG. 1Aand a second ring protection network150is formed from the network modules102d,102e,102fofFIG. 1A. For example, to create the two ring protection networks130,140, the network module102cmay be disconnected (e.g., by a user, switch, etc.) from the network module102fand the network module102amay be disconnected (e.g., by a user, switch, etc.) from the network module102d. Then, the network module102cmay be connected to the network module102awithin a threshold period of time (e.g., a predetermined or user-designated, threshold period of time, such as 10 seconds, 20 seconds, etc.) to form the first ring protection network140and the network module102dmay be connected to the network module102fto create the second ring protection network150with the threshold period of time. In some examples, if a network module is disconnected from one network module without being reconnected to another network module, the system100ofFIGS. 1A and 1Bmay be configured to create a different type of management network (e.g., a linear network).

InFIG. 1B, the ring division managers110of the network modules110may identify or establish owners of the ring protection networks140,150to maintain/establish two active uplinks122,152, respectively, with the service network130(e.g., from the network modules102b,102e). Further, the owner may disconnect links between the network modules to prevent loops in the customer traffic once connected to the service network130. The two newly formed ring protection networks140,150ofFIG. 1Bmay continue to operate as G.8032 networks formed from the single G.8032 network ofFIG. 1B.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an example ring division manager200that may be used to implement the ring division managers110in the network modules102ofFIGS. 1A and 1B. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 2, the ring division manager200includes a ring connection monitor210and an owner selector220. In examples disclosed herein, the ring connection monitor210monitors connections of the network modules102and detects disconnections/reconnections from/to other network modules102of a ring protection network and the owner selector220configures owners of newly formed ring protection networks from the ring protection network.

In examples herein, the network modules102of the ring protection networks120,140,150send and receive owner identifications (e.g., MAC addresses, serial numbers, internet protocol (IP) addresses, etc.) to/from one another. For example, the network modules102may utilize a continuity check protocol (CCP) to communicate with adjacent (neighboring) network modules102in the ring protection network. Referring to the example ofFIG. 1A, the network module102bmay periodically (or aperiodically) send continuity check messages to the network modules102a,102c. Additionally, the network module102bmay periodically (or aperiodically) receive continuity check messages from the network modules102a,102c. The example continuity check messages may include an owner identification that indicates the owner of the ring protection network (e.g., the ring protection networks110,120ofFIG. 1) of the network module200. Further, in examples herein, the owner network modules may broadcast the identifier of the owner (e.g., MAC addresses, serial numbers, internet protocol (IP) addresses, etc.) to all other network modules102in the ring protection network using an owner selection protocol (OSP). The example network modules102may include ring protection managers to provide owner services (e.g., disabling customer traffic links, establishing uplinks, etc.).

In examples herein, the ring connection monitor210ofFIG. 2analyzes the messages received via the CCP and the OSP to detect disconnections and reconnections in the ring protection networks. For example, if the network module determines that a CCP has not been received, the ring connection monitor210may determine that the network module102is an end network module of a disconnected portion of the ring protection network. Accordingly, the ring connection monitor210may track signal fail conditions based on the CCP messages to determine whether the network module has been disconnected and reconnected.

The owner selector220selects an owner of a ring protection network using any suitable protocol. In examples herein, upon detection of a disconnection by the ring connection monitor210determine whether to select a new owner of the ring protection network based on whether there is communication with an owner. For example, in the event that an OSP message is not received for a period of time (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, etc.), the owner selector220may determine that the network module has been disconnected from the ring protection network because there is no message from the owner. The owner selector220may determine that its network module is an end network module. In such examples, the owner selector220may set its network module may as owner for its ring protection network (e.g., the newly created ring protection network that does not include the owner of a previous/original network). Accordingly, after setting its network module as owner, the end network module may begin broadcasting OSP messages to the remaining network modules of the newly formed ring protection network. Furthermore, the end network module begins handling owner operations to ensure the integrity of the ring protection network and prevent customer traffic loops in the network. In some examples, if two end network modules are set to owner, a protocol may be used to select a single owner for the new ring protection network (e.g., a network module with the lower MAC address). Accordingly, the end network module may deactivate communication links of customer traffic between the end network module and adjacent network modules until all network modules of the newly formed ring protection network recognize the new owner. Once all network modules in the new ring protection networks identify a same owner for their respective network, the owner may activate respective uplinks from the newly formed ring protection networks via a management port selection protocol (MPSP).

Furthermore, in the event the owner selector220of one of the network modules that is not an owner (e.g., a non-owner network module) receives an OSP message that is different from a previously received OSP message (e.g., a message received from the owner of the original ring protection network), the owner selector220of the non-owner network module may change its owner to the new owner network.

Furthermore, in examples herein, when network modules remain in communication with an owner in a newly created ring protection network (i.e., the owner from the original ring protection network remains in the newly created ring protection network), the ring division manager110may enable the network modules to resume normal operation despite detecting a disconnection from neighbor modules as the respective network module continue to receive broadcasted OSP messages corresponding to the same owner. Accordingly, a threshold period of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 20 seconds, etc.) may be used to determine whether to reconfigure a network of the network modules.FIGS. 4A-4Eillustrate an example division of a ring protection network using the ring division manager200ofFIG. 2in accordance with examples herein.

While an example manner of implementing the ring division manager110ofFIG. 1is illustrated inFIG. 2, at least one of the elements, processes and/or devices illustrated inFIG. 2may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, the ring connection monitor210, the owner selector220, and/or, more generally, the example ring division manager200ofFIG. 2may be implemented by hardware and/or any combination of hardware and executable instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware). Thus, for example, any of the ring connection monitor210, the owner selector220, and/or, more generally, the example ring division manager200could be implemented by at least one of an analog or digital circuit, a logic circuit, a programmable processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) and/or a field programmable logic device (FPLD). When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the ring connection monitor210and/or the owner selector220is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangible machine readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc. storing the executable instructions. Further still, the example ring division manager200ofFIG. 2may include at least one element, process, and/or device in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated inFIG. 2, and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustrated elements, processes and devices.

FIG. 3is a protocol diagram of example communications between module link ports300a,300bthat may each be implemented by the network module200ofFIG. 2in accordance with an aspect of this disclosure. For example, the module link ports300a,300bmay represent connections to the network modules102a,102dofFIG. 1A or 1Bor the network module200ofFIG. 2. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 3, the link ports300a,300binclude a VLAN4095communication link and a VLAN4092communication link (though any VLAN1-VLAN4094may be used for customer traffic). In examples herein, the VLAN4095communication link may be used as a communication link for a management network ring of a ring protection network (to communicate with the other network modules102) and the VLAN4092may be used for customer traffic (e.g., to communicate with the service network130).

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the VLAN4095communication link may be used to send CCP communications, OSP communications, G.8032 communications, and MPSP communications. Accordingly, the network modules102may send/receive an owner identification corresponding to an owner of the network modules102of the link ports via the CCP protocol ofFIG. 3. The network modules102may send owner information via the OSP protocol. In examples herein, the ring division manager200analyzes the CCP and OSP communications to identify disconnections in the ring protection network120and/or reconnections between the network modules to create the new ring protection networks140,150. The owner selector220may then establish an owner to disable uplinks or send instructions to disable uplinks via the G.8032 protocol. The owner of the network modules may then activate an uplink or send instructions to activate an uplink via the MPSP protocol illustrated inFIG. 3. Accordingly, the communication protocols utilized in the VLAN4095communication link ofFIG. 3may be used to detect disconnections in a ring protection network and creation of new ring protection networks as well establish owners of the new ring protection networks in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4Eschematically illustrates an example division over time of the example ring protection network of the system ofFIG. 1Ainto the example ring protection networks ofFIG. 18in accordance with an aspect of this disclosure. InFIGS. 4A-4E, the MAC address (MAC) of the respective network modules102along with the owner address (OWNER) of the respective network modules102is indicated with the corresponding network module at that particular moment in time of theFIGS. 4A-4E. Additionally, the connections between the modules102ofFIGS. 4A-4Cmay include the communication links (e.g., the VLAN4095and the VLAN4092) ofFIG. 3. In the following example represented inFIGS. 4A-4E, the network module102bis the owner of the original ring protection network120(both OWNER and MAC are “3”). As will be discussed below, theFIGS. 4A-4Esequentially show the network modules102a-102fdividing to form two ring protection networks of the network modules102a-102cand102d-102f. Furthermore, inFIGS. 4A-4E, clashed lines indicate a deactivated link in customer traffic (e.g., VLAN4092) between the adjacent network modules, though the management communication (e.g., VLAN4095) will be active.

InFIG. 4A, the network module102bserves as the owner of the ring protection network120, with a single uplink122to the customer network and loop prevention via a deactivated customer link with the network module102a. The links402between the network module102aand the network module102dand between the network module102cand the network module102fare disconnected. In some examples, the links are disconnected simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) or they may be disconnected one after the other (e.g., within 1 second, 2 seconds, etc.).

InFIG. 4B, the connection402ofFIG. 4Abetween the network modules102a,102dis disconnected (e.g., a user unplugs the wire from one of the network modules102a,102d, a switch disconnects the wires, etc.). Accordingly, during a period of time inFIG. 4B, the ring division managers of the network module102amay determine that an owner is present (from and OSP message from the network module102b) but that there is a disconnection from the network module102d(due to not receiving a CCP message from102d). The example network module102dmay also determine that an owner is present (from the OSP message received from the network module102bvia the connection to the network module102e) but that there is a disconnection from the network module102a(due to not receiving a CCP message from102a).

InFIG. 4C, the connection404ofFIGS. 4A and 4Bbetween the network modules102c,102fis disconnected. Accordingly, during a period of time inFIG. 4C, the network module102cmay determine that an owner is still present (due to OSP message from the network module102b) but there was a disconnection from the network module102f(due to no longer receiving a CCP message from the network module102f). Furthermore, the network module102fmay determine that an owner is no longer present (due to no longer receiving an OSP from the network module102b) and there was a disconnection from the network module102d(due to no longer receiving CCP messages from the network module102d). InFIG. 4C, the network module102fmay be the first network module of the network modules102d,102e,102fto determine that no owner is present because it was nearest network module to the owner network module102bin the ring after the disconnection of the connection402between the network modules102a,102d. As such, inFIG. 4C, the ring connection monitor210of the network module102fmay determine that the network module1021is an end network module of a ring protection network without an owner. Meanwhile, the network modules102d,102einFIG. 4Care waiting for an OSP message from the network module102f.

InFIG. 4D, the new ring protection networks140,150are created by new connection442between network modules102a,102cand the new connection452between network modules102d,102f, respectively. InFIG. 4D, though the ring connection monitor210of the network modules102a,102cdetected a disconnection from the network modules102d,102f, respectively, the ring connection monitors continued to detect a connection with the owner network module102b. Accordingly, upon establishing the connection442between the network modules102a,102cwithin a threshold period of time of disconnecting the connections402,404, the newly formed ring protection network140may continue to operate with the network module102bas owner. However, without an owner in the new ring protection network452, as an end network module, the network module102fsets itself as owner of the new ring protection network150. As owner, the network module102fdeactivates customer traffic with its adjacent network modules102e,102dto configure the newly formed ring protection network150. The owner network module102fbegins broadcasting its owner identifier in OSP messages to the other network modules102e,102fof the ring protection network150.

InFIG. 4E, as the network modules102e,102fget the new OSP messages and determine that they are receiving new owner communication, the network modules102e,102fchange their owner to the new owner modules102ffor the new ring protection network150. Once all the network modules102d-102fof the new ring protection network150have the same owner, the owner network module102festablishes an uplink152with the service network130and activates one of the customer traffic links to an adjacent network module (the network module102einFIG. 4E) to enable the new ring protection network150to manage customer traffic of the service network130.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the ring division manager200ofFIG. 2is shown inFIG. 5. In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise a program/process for execution by a processor such as the processor712shown in the example processor platform700discussed below in connection withFIG. 7. The program/process may be embodied in executable instructions (e.g., software) stored on a tangible machine readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor712, but the entire program/process and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the processor712and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 5, many other methods of implementing the example ring division manager200may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

The process500ofFIG. 5begins with an initiation of the ring division manager200(e.g., upon startup, upon instructions from a user, upon startup of a device implementing the ring division manager200(e.g., the network modules102), etc.). The example process500ofFIG. 5may be executed to configure a ring protection network (e.g., the ring protection network150) formed from network modules of a previous ring protection network (e.g., the ring protection network120). At block510, the ring connection monitor210detects a disconnection between a first ring protection network module and a second ring protection network module. For example, at block510, the ring connection monitor210of the network module102fmay determine that CCP messages have not been received from the network module102c, thus detecting a disconnection. At block520, the ring connection monitor210detects a connection between the first network module and a third network module. For example, at block520, the ring connection monitor210of the network module102fmay determine that CCP messages are being received from a different network module (i.e., the network module102drather than the network module102c), thus determining connection to a different network module.

At block530ofFIG. 5, the owner selector220determines an owner of the second ring protection network based on whether an owner of the first ring protection network is included within the second ring protection network. For example, at block530, the owner selector220determines whether OSP messages have been received after the disconnection. In some examples, if OSP messages have been received, then the owner selector220may not change the owner. In some examples, if the OSP messages indicated an owner different from a previous owner of the network module, then the owner selector220may change the owner of its network module. If, however, the owner selector220determines that no owner messages have been received, the owner selector220may set its network module as the owner of the second ring protection network.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions for implementing the network modules102ofFIGS. 1A, 1Bis shown inFIG. 6. In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise a program/process for execution by a processor such as the processor712shown in the example processor platform700discussed below in connection withFIG. 7. The program/process may be embodied in executable instructions (e.g., software) stored on a tangible machine readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor712, but the entire program/process and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than the processor712and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is described with reference to the flowchart illustrated inFIG. 6, many other methods of implementing the example network modules102may alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

The process600ofFIG. 6begins with an initiation of a network module102. The example process600ofFIG. 6may be executed to implement any one of the network modules102of the ring protection network120to enable configuration of a new ring protection network (e.g., the ring protection networks140,150) that is created from network modules102of the ring protection network120. At block602, the ring connection manager210of a network module102determines whether a CCP message was received from adjacent network modules102. If CCP messages were received, control returns to block602to check for the next CCP messages. If the CCP messages were not received at block602, then the network module102determines whether it is the owner of the ring protection network120(block604). If the network module102is the owner of the ring protection network120(e.g., owner ID matches ID of the network module102, similar to the network module102bofFIG. 4D), then control returns to block602to continue to monitor for CCP messages. If, at block604, the network module102is not the owner, then the network module determines whether it is in communication with the owner (block606). For example, at block606the network module determines whether an OSP message from an owner has been received within a previous time period. If, at block606, the network module102determines that it is in communication with the ring protection network owner (e.g., similar to network modules102a,102cofFIG. 4D, then control returns to block602to continue monitoring for CCP messages. If, at block606, the network module is not in communication with the owner (e.g., similar to network module102fofFIG. 4D), then, the network module102determines whether the ring protection network is implementing ring protection. If ring protection is not being implemented (block608), then control returns to block602. If ring protection is being implemented (block608), then the network module deactivates customer traffic to/from the adjacent network modules.

At block612, the network module102sets itself as owner of a new ring protection network (e.g., a ring protection network). At block614, the network module sends new owner ID via CCP messages to adjacent network modules and sends an owner message via OSP at block616. At block618, the network module determines whether an owner ID has been received (from other network modules in the new ring protection network) that is different from the network modules own identifier. If, at block618, the network module102receives an owner ID that is not different from the other network modules (i.e., the other network modules have accepted the network module as the new owner, similar toFIG. 4E), then control advances to block626.

If, at block618, the network module102does receive an owner ID that is different from the ID of the network module102, then the network module102determines whether to change owner (i.e., whether to stay owner or change to owner corresponding to different owner ID). For example, the network module may compare owner IDs and select the owner ID based on a certain criteria (e.g., which ID is greater, lesser, etc.). If the network module102, at block620, determines not to change the owner ID, control advances to block626. If, at block620, the network module102determines to change owner, then the network modules joins the new network by setting its owner status to the new owner (block622). At block624, the network module102activates the customer traffic links to/from the adjacent network modules. After block624, the example process600ends. In some examples, control may return to block610.

At block626, the network module102operates as owner of the new ring protection network. For example, at block626, the network module102continue to monitor CCP and OSM messages. The network module102, at block626, may further reactivate customer traffic links with adjacent network module102but prevent loops in the customer traffic in the new ring protection network. Furthermore, the network module102may establish an uplink (e.g., the uplink152) at block626to the customer service network130for the new ring protection network. After block626, the example process600ends.

As mentioned above, the example processes ofFIGS. 5 and 6may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangible machine readable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term tangible machine readable storage medium is expressly defined to include any type of machine readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media. As used herein, “computer readable storage medium” and “machine readable storage medium” are used interchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes ofFIGS. 5 and 6may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory machine readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of machine readable storage device and/or storage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.

As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” is open ended. As used herein the term “a” or “an” may mean “at least one,” and therefore, “a” or “an” do not necessarily limit a particular element to a single element when used to describe the element. As used herein, when the term “or” is used in a series, it is not, unless otherwise indicated, considered an “exclusive or.”

FIG. 7is a block diagram of an example processor platform700capable of executing the instructions ofFIGS. 5 and 6to implement the ring division manager200ofFIG. 2and/or the network modules ofFIGS. 1A, 1B, respectively. The example processor platform700may be or may be included in any type of apparatus, such as a server, a personal computer, a mobile device, a network device, or any other type of computing device.

The processor platform700of the illustrated example ofFIG. 7includes a processor712. The processor712of the illustrated example is hardware. For example, the processor712can be implemented by at least one integrated circuit, logic circuit, microprocessor or controller from any desired family or manufacturer.

The processor712of the illustrated example includes a local memory713(e.g., a cache). The processor712of the illustrated example is in communication with a main memory including a volatile memory714and a non-volatile memory716via a bus718. The volatile memory714may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory716may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory714,716is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform700of the illustrated example also includes an interface circuit720. The interface circuit720may be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), and/or a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) express interface.

In the illustrated example, at least one input device722is connected to the interface circuit720. The input device(s)722permit(s) a user to enter data and commands into the processor712. The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system.

At least one output device724is also connected to the interface circuit720of the illustrated example. The output device(s)724can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactile output device, a light emitting diode (LED), a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit720of the illustrated example, thus, may include a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor.

The processor platform700of the illustrated example also includes at least one mass storage device728for storing executable instructions (e.g., software) and/or data. Examples of such mass storage device(s)728include floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAID systems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

The coded instructions732ofFIGS. 5 and/or 6may be stored in the mass storage device728, in the local memory713in the volatile memory714, in the non-volatile memory716, and/or on a removable tangible machine readable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the above disclosed methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture enable configuration of ring protection networks formed from a previous ring protection networks. In examples herein, the network modules of a ring protection network may detect a disconnection from a ring protection network, detect a reconnection to another network module, and set an owner for the newly created ring protection networks using CCP and OSP messages. As such, the newly created ring network may preserve the integrity of the new created ring protection networks.