VPLS failure protection in ring networks

A method for communication over a bi-directional ring network that includes nodes connected by spans of the ring network, the method comprising:

• provisioning a virtual private local area network service (VPLS) to serve users over the bi-directional ring network, the VPLS comprising connection termination points provisioned respectively on a plurality of the nodes so as to connect each of the plurality of the nodes to a second network external to the ring network;
• as long as the nodes and spans are fully operational, maintaining one or more of the connection termination points in a deactivated state, so that no more than one of the connection termination points to the second network is active;
• exchanging messages among the nodes indicative of a failure associated with the bi-directional ring network;
• and
• responsively to the messages, activating at least one of the deactivated connection termination points so as to maintain connectivity among the users of the VPLS without creating a loop in the VPLS via the second network.