Abstract: A communication network architecture comprises an access tier including access packet switches coupled to users, a backbone tier including hub packet switches coupled to one another, and a transit tier including transit packet switches coupling the access tier to the backbone tier. The access packet switches are coupled to the transit tier by physically diverse access communication trunks. The transit packet switches are coupled to the backbone tier by physically diverse transit communication trunks. OSI layer one protection is disabled between the access tier and the transit tier and is disabled between the transit tier and the backbone tier. OSI layer two protection is enabled between the access tier and the transit tier and is enabled between the transit tier and the backbone tier. In some examples, a control system selects protection schemes for selected communication trunks and directs the network elements to implement the selected protection schemes on the selected communication trunks.

Abstract: A communication network has an open-ended communication loop coupled to a communication ring at separate points on the ring. The communication network has wireless access points that are coupled to the loop. The wireless access points exchange user communications in a wireless communication format with user wireless communication devices. The wireless access points exchange the user communications with a service center over the communication loop and the communication ring. The wireless access points re-route the user communications to avoid a fault on the loop.