Communication techniques and generic layer 3 automatic switching protection

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory unit that stores instructions associated with code executed by the processor;
• and
• an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the code and perform operations of:
• establishing multiple layer 2 network links between a first data communication device and a second data communication device;
• enabling layer 3 network communications over each of the multiple layer 2 network links;
• and
• routing traffic over at least one of the multiple layer 2 network links using the layer 3 network communications.

A data communication device comprising:

• means for establishing multiple layer 2 network links between a first data communication device and a second data communication device;
• means for enabling layer 3 network communications over each of the multiple layer 2 network links;
• and
• means for routing traffic over at least one of the multiple layer 2 network links using the layer 3 network communications.

Software encoded in one or more computer-readable media and, when executed, operable to:

• establish multiple layer 2 network links between a first data communication device and a second data communication device;
• enable layer 3 network communications over each of the multiple layer 2 network links;
• and
• route traffic over at least one of the multiple layer 2 network links using the layer 3 network communications.