An architecture for a seamless mesh network

For interoffice networks, mesh-based topologies are inherently superior to ring-based topologies. Compared to rings, mesh networks can provide greater provisioning flexibility, more efficient protection, and robustness against a wider range of failures. For an extended mesh network, it is possible for the protection efficiency to approach 100 %. It is feasible to guarantee fast restoration in a mesh network by sacrificing some protection efficiency. Unlike ring-based networks, mesh-based networks can be seamless. This paper presents an architecture for a seamless mesh network that can provide both fast restoration and high efficiency. A network based on this architecture can be extended seamlessly over a large area.