Abstract: Method and system for shared path protection within an optical ring network wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes. A traffic signal is forwarded on a working path on a wavelength. The working path includes a drop node. The traffic signal is individually monitored the traffic signal on the wavelength at the drop node for a failure. In response to at least a detection at the drop node of the failure, a protection switching request is generated. In response to at least the protection switching request, the network is provisioned to forward the traffic signal on the wavelength on a protection path to the drop node.