Abstract: A method and device for handling Ethernet frame signals in a SDH/SONET network, the SDH/SONET network comprising network elements or nodes and fiber connections connecting the network elements, the method being characterized by the step of defining a new layer/network over the SDH/SONET network in order to manage the Ethernet signals over the SDH/SONET network, the new layer/network using the resources of SDH/SONET network in such a way as to optimize the provided services and the performances with reference to this specific type of transport.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing flow control of Ethernet frames transported over a transport SDH/SONET network. The method is characterized by comprising the following steps: at the network elements that host the sending and receiving points, providing termination blocks for storing queues of Ethernet frames, when the filling of termination block queue at the receiving node reaches a danger threshold, generating a Link Back-pressure Request and forwarding it to termination block at the transmitting node along the opposite direction; upon receipt of this request at the termination block suspending the transmission of other already stored Ethernet frames by until the disappearance of the Link Back-pressure Request.