Node failure detection for distributed linear protection

A method for linear protection, comprising:

• determining, at a first node portal, a failure in a second node portal, the first node portal communicatively coupled to the second node portal across an administrative network domain;
• and
• changing a switch position of a selector function in the first node portal in response to determining the failure in the second node portal;
• wherein changing the switch position includes maintaining communication over a working path between the first node portal with a network element in a network attached to the first node portal.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• and
• computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to, for a first network element communicatively coupled to a second network element, the first network element and the second network element included in a first node portal located at the edge of a first administrative network domain:
• monitor a protect path for an automatic protection switching (“APS”) message from a third network element included within a network attached to the first node portal, the APS message indicating a failure of a working path between the second network element and the third network element;
• determine that the APS message has been received;
• monitor an intraportal link for a message from the second network element;
• determine that the message from the second network element has not been received;
• monitor integrity of the intraportal link;
• determine that the intraportal link has failed;
• and
• determine that the second network element has failed based upon determining that that the APS message has been received, that the message from the second network element has not been received, and that the intraportal link has failed.

An article of manufacture comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• and
• computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to:
• determine, at a first node portal, a failure in a second node portal, the first node portal communicatively coupled to the second node portal across an administrative network domain;
• and
• change a switch position of a selector function in the first node portal in response to determining the failure in the second node portal;
• wherein changing the switch position includes maintaining communication over a working path between the first node portal with a network element in a network attached to the first node portal.

A system comprising:

• a first network element;
• and
• a second network element communicatively coupled to the first network element through an intraportal link forming a first node portal;
• wherein the first network element is communicatively coupled to a third network element within a network attached to the first node portal and the first network element is configured to:
• monitor a protect path for an automatic protection switching (“APS”) message from the third network element, the APS message indicating a failure of a working path between the second network element and the third network element;
• determine that the APS message has been received;
• monitor the intraportal link for a message from the second network element;
• determine that the message from the second network element has not been received;
• monitor integrity of the intraportal link;
• determine that the intraportal link has failed;
• and
• determine that the second network element has failed based upon determining that that the APS message has been received, that the message from the second network element has not been received, and that the intraportal link has failed.

A system, comprising a first node portal communicatively coupled to a second node portal across an administrative network domain, wherein the first node portal is configured to:

• determine a failure in a second node portal;
• and
• change a switch position of a selector function in the first node portal in response to determining the failure in the second node portal;
• wherein changing the switch position includes maintaining communication over a working path between the first node portal with a network element in a network attached to the first node portal.