Methods and apparatus for utilizing protection paths as additional working paths in switched ring network systems

A path protection switched network system comprising:

• a plurality of network elements interconnected in a path protection switched ring configuration by a plurality of lines, wherein
• each network element has:
• first cross-connect setup means for setting up on said lines a first cross-connect for said path protection switched ring which uses a primary working path and a protection path, said primary working and protection paths transferring primary signals in one direction and in the other direction, respectively;
• second cross-connect setup means for setting up a second cross-connect for re-use of said protection path as a secondary working path for transferring secondary signals on said protection path;
• and
• transmission control means responsive to the presence or absence of a failure in said primary working path for switching between said first and second cross-connect setup means in order to force said first cross-connect to be established in the event of a primary working path failure, thereby allowing data transmission of said primary signals and not said secondary signals over said protection path when said primary working path fails.