BFD triggered, GMPLS based multi-layer Ethernet access network protection

In this paper we present a solution for providing protection in a Ethernet based access and metro network. To accomplish this we targeted two issues, protection aimed path computation in networks which does not provide fully disjoint paths, and the design and implementation of bi-directional forward detection (BFD) protocol in a GMPLS controlled Ethernet network. To the best of our knowledge, neither issue has been previously addressed through a similar approach and is therefore to be considered novel in its design and implementation. Our implementation shows good performances and reliability in both performance testing and testbed experiments.