Abstract: A method of constructing a repair path around a non-available component in a data communications network having, as components, nodes having a network address and links there between comprises the step, performed at a participating node, of receiving from a notifying node in the network, a notification identifying the notifying node and components through which the notifying node can be reached. The method further comprises the step of deriving, from the notification, a network repair address for use in the event of non-availability of a component identified in the notification. The method further comprises the step of constructing a repair path for the repair address.

Abstract: A method of forwarding data in a data communications network having a plurality of nodes comprises the steps, performed at a repairing node, of computing the repair path around a network component to a target node and forwarding data along the repair path. The computing step comprises the step of computing an intermediate node reachable by the repairing node and from which the target node can be reached. The forwarding step includes the step of constructing a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) packet for forwarding to the intermediate node.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for synchronizing a data communications network. The data communications network comprises a plurality of existing nodes forming one or more synchronization domains and a node entering the network. Each existing node in a synchronization domain stores a common representation of the synchronization domain and is configured to flood the synchronization domain with domain representation information. In a synchronization domain identification step formed at the entering node, the entering node exchanges entering node domain representation information with a first neighboring existing node. The entering node identifies as a first synchronization domain common with the first neighboring existing node all neighboring existing nodes from which the entering node domain representation information is flooded back the entering node.