Ring network and method for path interchange therein

Abstract

A ring network, which can reduce the amount of processing, deal with the occurrence of faults, and lighten the load on an operator, includes a plurality of transmission apparatuses each including a cross-connect function unit and a communication function unit for sending and receiving messages using the overhead of an SDH frame, and a master transmission apparatus to which a command is input for switching from a UPSR to BLSR mode including a path management database, a path decision unit, and an interchange decision unit. The master transmission apparatus to which the command is input collects and stores path setting information of all of the transmission apparatuses in the path management database and sequentially performs processing for deciding on and deleting a long path and processing for interchanging a path on a protection channel to an idle work channel by sending and receiving a message.