Multi-point and rooted multi-point protection switching

摘要

The present invention relates to techniques for allowing one or more edge nodes in a backbone network to quickly and efficiently switch traffic delivery from a first virtual network to a second virtual network in response to a failure occurring in association with the first virtual network. In certain embodiments, an edge node is capable of independently detecting that a failure has occurred on the first virtual network and quickly transitioning from the first virtual network to the second virtual network for receiving or delivering traffic. Upon detecting the failure in the first virtual network, the edge node will begin delivering traffic over the second virtual network. If control messages are not already being provided over the second network, the edge node may begin providing the control messages over the second virtual network.