Abstract: A method for detecting a mismatch between a first port and a second port includes determining whether a destination address associated with the second port and a virtual local access network identifier (VID) for a service instance monitored by a first maintenance end point are included in a table of the first port. The method further includes setting a traffic field in a first continuity check message. The method additionally includes receiving, at the first maintenance end point, a second continuity check message that includes a traffic field. The method also includes detecting a mismatch when the value of the traffic field in the second continuity check message does not match the value of the traffic field in the first continuity check message.

Abstract: A method for detecting a mismatch between a first port and a second port includes determining whether a destination address associated with the second port and a virtual local access network identifier (VID) for a service instance monitored by a first maintenance end point are included in a table of the first port. The method further includes setting a traffic field in a first continuity check message. The method additionally includes receiving, at the first maintenance end point, a second continuity check message that includes a traffic field. The method also includes detecting a mismatch when the value of the traffic field in the second continuity check message does not match the value of the traffic field in the first continuity check message.

Abstract: A method in a Maintenance Association Endpoint, MEP, for controlling traffic between a first network element and a second network element connected by a working Traffic Engineering Service Instance, TESI, and a protection TESI. The first network element sets a Traffic field in a Connectivity Check Message, CCM, sent to the second network element. The Traffic field may be set by utilizing a reserved bit within a Flags field of the CCM. The Traffic field indicates which TESI is being utilized to transport the traffic. The second network element takes action to control the traffic based upon a value of the Traffic field in the received CCM. When the Traffic field value in the received CCM does not match the Traffic field value in CCMs sent from the second network element for a predefined period of time, the second network element moves the traffic from its current TESI to the other TESI.

Abstract: A method in a Maintenance Association Endpoint, MEP, for controlling traffic between a first network element and a second network element connected by a working Traffic Engineering Service Instance, TESI, and a protection TESI. The first network element sets a Traffic field in a Connectivity Check Message, CCM, sent to the second network element. The Traffic field may be set by utilizing a reserved bit within a Flags field of the CCM. The Traffic field indicates which TESI is being utilized to transport the traffic. The second network element takes action to control the traffic based upon a value of the Traffic field in the received CCM. When the Traffic field value in the received CCM does not match the Traffic field value in CCMs sent from the second network element for a predefined period of time, the second network element moves the traffic from its current TESI to the other TESI.

Abstract: A switch for transferring data including a master unit. The switch including a plurality of slave units. The switch including a bus through which the master unit communicates with the slave units. The switch including a memory in communication with the master unit having a software program which causes the switch to automatically recover when a slave unit fails. A method for transferring data. A software program.