This Recommendation specifies protection switching mechanisms and a protocol for Ethernet layer
network (ETH) rings. Ethernet rings can provide wide-area multipoint connectivity more
economically due to their reduced number of links. The mechanisms and protocol defined in this
Recommendation achieve highly reliable and stable protection; and never form loops, which would
fatally affect network operation and service availability.
Each Ethernet ring node is connected to adjacentEthernet ring nodes participating in the same
Ethernet ring, using two independent links. A ring link is bounded by two adjacent Ethernet ring
nodes and a port for a ring link is called a ring port.The minimum number of Ethernet ring nodes in
an Ethernet ring is two.