Abstract: A method and system for breaking loops in an Ethernet network that supports connectionless and connection-oriented Ethernet. A loop-breaking protocol may be used to detect a loop among a plurality of network elements and to identify a port to block in order to break the loop. The network elements may stop the flow of connectionless Ethernet traffic, while continuing to allow connection-oriented Ethernet traffic to pass. The loop-breaking protocol may be further configured to analyze and understand connection-oriented Ethernet within the network so that connection-oriented Ethernet paths are accounted for during loop detection and prevention.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol in an Ethernet network. The method includes receiving an administrative data packet at a first network element; determining whether the administrative data packet contains an ERPS membership setting from a second network element; when the administrative data packet contains the ERPS membership setting from the second network element, comparing an ERPS membership setting at the first network element to the ERPS membership setting from the second network element; and performing an action when the ERPS membership setting at the first network element is different than the ERPS membership setting from the second network element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol in an Ethernet network. The method includes receiving an administrative data packet at a first network element; determining whether the administrative data packet contains an ERPS membership setting from a second network element; when the administrative data packet contains the ERPS membership setting from the second network element, comparing an ERPS membership setting at the first network element to the ERPS membership setting from the second network element; and performing an action when the ERPS membership setting at the first network element is different than the ERPS membership setting from the second network element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes disabling a port of a first leaf network element in a network implementing a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), the RSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to the first leaf network element forming a first branch of the spanning tree; migrating the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element after the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the port of the first leaf network element after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for migrating loop-breaking protocols in an Ethernet network. The method includes disabling a port of a first leaf network element in a network implementing a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), the RSTP having a spanning tree with a root network element coupled to the first leaf network element forming a first branch of the spanning tree; migrating the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling an Ethernet ring protection switching (ERPS) protocol on the first leaf network element; migrating the root network element after the first leaf network element by disabling the RSTP and enabling the ERPS protocol on the root network element; and enabling the port of the first leaf network element after migrating the first leaf network element and the root network element.