Protection switching using performance metrics

A method to trigger protection switching on a first wireless link of a ring network device in a protection switching capable network, comprising:

• monitoring one or more performance metrics on said first wireless link in said ring network;
• sending a signal failed message when at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy performance criteria related to the at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics;
• and
• triggering a protection switching event from said first wireless link to a second wireless link in said ring network in response to said signal failed message.

A network device with one or more wireless links part of a ring network supporting protection switching, comprising:

• a processor;
• one or more computer readable, non-transitory, tangible storage media;
• program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media for triggering protection switching on a first wireless link with a degraded performance that, when executed by said processor, direct said processor to at least:
• monitor one or more performance metrics on said first wireless link in said ring network;
• send a signal failed message when at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics fails to satisfy performance criteria related to the at least one metric of said one or more performance metrics;
• and
• trigger a protection switching event from said first wireless link to a second wireless link in said ring network in response to said signal failed message.