Abstract: A method automatically discovers a topology of a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a first port and a second port. A ring topology request or a response to the ring topology request is received from at least one node on the ring. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request includes an identification of the at least one node and an indication of a hop count needed to reach the at least one node. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request is forwarded to at least one neighboring node on the ring through the first port. The topology is determined based on the identification of the at least one node, the hop count, and an identification of the first port.

Abstract: A method and system for rerouting data in a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links. Each node includes a first port and a second port. Each first port is connected to a neighboring second port through a link of the plurality of links. The topology of the communication network ring is discovered and a forwarding database table is populated with static entries according to the discovered topology. Upon receiving notice of a failed link, which includes a source address of a node adjacent to the failed link, the topology and the source address of the node adjacent to the failed link is used to reconfigure the forwarding database table. Data is forwarded using the reconfigured forwarding database table without flooding the ring.

Abstract: A method automatically discovers a topology of a communication network ring. The ring includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a first port and a second port. A ring topology request or a response to the ring topology request is received from at least one node on the ring. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request includes an identification of the at least one node and an indication of a hop count needed to reach the at least one node. The ring topology request or the response to the ring topology request is forwarded to at least one neighboring node on the ring through the first port. The topology is determined based on the identification of the at least one node, the hop count, and an identification of the first port.