System and method for virtual circuit backup in a communication network

A method for fault detection and rerouting of information from a primary path to an alternate path in a communication network, comprising the steps of:

• detecting, in a communication device operating at a data link layer and having awareness of a physical layer to which said communication device is attached, a failure in a primary path virtual circuit of a communication system having an endpoint, said failure including any of a physical failure, a logical management interface (LMI) failure, and a data link connection identifier (DLCI) failure;
• classifying said failure;
• and
• rerouting information to said endpoint over an alternate path to avoid said failure without having to wait for the indication of a logical link failure.

A system for fault detection and rerouting of information from a primary path to an alternate path in a communication network, comprising:

• a failure detector, located in a communication device operating at a data link layer and having awareness of a physical layer to which said communication device is attached, configured to detect a failure in a primary path virtual circuit of a communication system having an endpoint, said failure including any of a physical failure, a logical management interface (LMI) failure, and a data link connection identifier (DLCI) failure;
• logic configured to classify said failure;
• and
• rerouting logic configured to reroute information to said endpoint over an alternate path to avoid said failure without having to wait for the indication of a logical link failure.

A computer readable medium having a program for fault detection and rerouting of information from a primary path to an alternate path in a communication network, the medium comprising:

• failure detector logic, located in a communication device operating at a data link layer and having awareness of a physical layer to which said communication device is attached, configured to detect a failure in a primary path virtual circuit of a communication system having an endpoint, said failure including any of a physical failure, a logical management interface (LMI) failure, and a data link connection identifier (DLCI) failure;
• logic configured to classify said failure;
• and
• rerouting logic configured to reroute information to said endpoint over an alternate path to avoid said failure without having to wait for the indication of a logical link failure.