Patent ID: 8619550

Claim:
A processor-implemented method for configuring failover switched paths for a communications connection between a first node and a second node, the processor-implemented method comprising: a) defining a first switched path from the first node to the second node, wherein the first switched path bypasses the communications connection; b) defining a second switched path from the first node to the second node, wherein the second switched path bypasses the communications connection, and wherein the second switched path differs from the first switched path; c) for all active routes of a first type that use the communications connection, creating a first additional next-hop gateway corresponding to the first switched path; and d) for all active routes of a second type that use the communications connection, creating a second additional next-hop gateway corresponding to the second switched path, wherein the processor includes at least one of a microprocessor, a network processor and integrated circuits, and wherein forwarding over at least one of the first and second switched paths is determined using at least one of (A) node port, (B) signal wavelength, (C) signal time slot, or (D) signal channel.