Ciena Corporation
Data path retention during control plane failures in a multiprotocol label switching network

Abstract:

Systems and methods for data path retention during control plane failures in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network include, in a network element, operating an MPLS service on a data path in the MPLS network in an initial stage with both a control plane and a data plane operating normally; responsive to a failure affecting only the control plane, switching the MPLS service to an Ethernet Line (ELINE) service which is configured on the data path; and, responsive to a recovery of the control plane, switching the ELINE service back to the MPLS service.