Abstract: A method and system for identifying the absence and presence of a ring protection link in Ethernet networks are disclosed. The method may include sending, by a node in a ring of an Ethernet network having a plurality of nodes and an RPL, an APS message. The method may further include receiving, by the node via the ring, the APS message and determining whether the node is an RPL owner node that controls the flow of traffic on the RPL. The method may further include, raising, when it is determined that the node is not an RPL owner node, an alarm indicating that the ring lacks a provisioned RPL owner node.

Abstract: Method and system for shared path protection within an optical ring network wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes. A traffic signal is forwarded on a working path on a wavelength. The working path includes a drop node. The traffic signal is individually monitored the traffic signal on the wavelength at the drop node for a failure. In response to at least a detection at the drop node of the failure, a protection switching request is generated. In response to at least the protection switching request, the network is provisioned to forward the traffic signal on the wavelength on a protection path to the drop node.