Abstract: A system is provided for sharing a protection path between at least two protection groups in a network. The system includes at least one working path associated with each of the protection groups, and at least one working maintenance entity group (“WMEG”) monitoring the status of each of the working paths. Each WMEG notifies the protection group associated with the monitored working path of changes in the status of the monitored working path. At least one protection entity group (“PMEG”) monitors the status of the protection path and notifies each of the protection groups of changes in the status of the protection path. Each of the protection groups is switchable to the protection path in response to the receipt of notifications from the WMEG of changes to a non-operational status for the respective working paths associated with each of the protection groups.

Abstract: A method for managing data packets passing through an Ethernet node having multiple ingress ports and multiple egress ports, the ingress ports receiving the data packets from at least one service, and the egress ports configured with at least one Logical Transport Resource (LTR) configured as a predefined path between one of the egress ports and a destination in the Ethernet network. The method comprises mapping one or more of the services to each of the at least one LTR, shaping each of the at least one LTR to a configured rate, and transmitting data packets to the Ethernet network via the egress ports.

Abstract: A chassis for telecommunication gear including horizontal circuit boards includes an enclosure forming a front-accessible circuit board slot for receiving horizontal circuit boards. The circuit board slot has first connectors for receiving mating second connectors on the circuit boards, and multiple circuit board guides for guiding and securing horizontal circuit boards inserted into the slot. Adjacent pairs of the guides are spaced to receive circuit boards of predetermined widths, and at least one of the guides is removable so that it can be re-positioned within the slot for changing the spacing between adjacent pairs of the guides to receive circuit boards of different widths. The circuit boards may be telecommunication line cards.