Abstract: A network configuration having multiple network elements and routers using point-to-point network redundancy to improve network reliability and performance is disclosed. A process using point-to-point network redundancy is able to detect a first checking message (“CM”) formatted in a connectivity verification protocol (“CVP”) such as IEEE 802.1ag indicating a primary link failure. The primary link is a connection between a first network element (“NE”) situated in a first network such as Ethernet based LAN network and a second NE situated in a second network such as an IP based MPLS network. Upon sending a second CM indicating the primary link failure to the second NE, a coordinated failover from the primary link to the backup link at both first and second NEs is performed.

Abstract: A method and system of loop detection for improving network performance and data integrity over a communications network are disclosed. A process is capable of transmitting a diagnostic packet stream from a source object to a destination object. The diagnostic packet stream, in one embodiment, is an IEEE 802.1ag continuity check message and is transported to a destination object periodically across a communications network. Upon receipt of a returning packet stream from the destination object, the process broadcasts loop detection at a port level in response to the comparison between the returning packet stream and the diagnostic packet stream.