Communication method and communication device

A communication method for a network where a plurality of communication devices are interconnected and a plurality of pairs of working channels and backup channels are set in two paths between adjacent communication devices to perform 1:1-protection communications, said communication method comprising the steps of:

• for voice traffic, performing said 1:1-protection communications by using working channels set in one of said two paths when there is no failure, and by switching to backup channels set in the other of said two paths when a failure is detected;
• and
• for data traffic other than said voice traffic, performing communications by using channels other than said working channels for said voice traffic in said two paths when there is no failure.

A communication device for use in a synchronous network that includes a plurality of pairs of working channels and backup channels capable of performing 1:1-protection communications for frame transmission by employing two paths, said communication device comprising:

• a first processing system that performs, on voice traffic, a process for said 1:1-protection communications by using working channels set in one of said two paths when there is no failure, and by switching to backup channels set in the other of said two paths when a failure is detected;
• and
• a second processing system that performs, on data traffic other than said voice traffic, a process for communications by using channels other than working channels for a signal of an information type where importance is relatively high, in said two paths when there is no failure.