Patent ID: 8570877

Claim:
A method comprising: configuring a first network device to be a member of a maintenance association that is established to verify the integrity of a single service instance, the maintenance association comprising a logical grouping of at least the first network device, a second network device, and a third network device, the second network device being positioned between the first network device and the third network device, and the second network device being communicatively coupled to the first and third network devices; outputting a first outgoing maintenance message with the first network device to each of the second and third network devices to verify connectivity; receiving an indication to initiate a planned event with the first network device; prior to performing the planned event within the first network device capable of disrupting the maintenance association, generating a modified outgoing maintenance message with the first network device that indicates connectivity and includes an indicator that the planned event will be performed by the first network device; transmitting, with the first network device, the modified outgoing maintenance message to the second and third network devices to direct the second and third network devices to avoid detecting the planned event as a connectivity fault, wherein the second network device outputs a second outgoing maintenance message to the first and third network devices after receiving the modified outgoing maintenance message, and wherein the second outgoing maintenance message output by the second network device does not inform the third network device of the planned event to be performed by the first network device; and after transmitting the modified outgoing maintenance message, performing the planned event within the first network device.