Node apparatus, processing unit, and control frame processing method

A node apparatus, said node apparatus being one of two node apparatuses coupled mutually via redundant paths which include a working path and a protection path, said one node apparatus comprising:

• a monitoring unit which monitors whether or not a control frame for controlling path protection switching between said redundant paths has been received via said working path, and which generates an alarm when said control frame has been received via said working path;
• a monitoring stop unit which, at the time of working/protection switching of said redundant paths, causes said monitoring unit to stop monitoring whether or not said control frame has been received via a previous working path which is the path used as said working path until said switching is completed;
• a transmission stop determining unit which determines whether the other of said two node apparatuses has stopped transmitting said control frame via a new working path which is the path used as said working path after said switching is completed;
• and
• a monitoring start unit which causes said monitoring unit to start monitoring whether or not said control frame has been received via said new working path, when it is determined that said other node apparatus has stopped transmitting said control frame via said new working path.

A processing unit provided in one of two node apparatuses coupled mutually via redundant paths which include a working path and a protection path, said processing unit comprising:

• a monitoring unit which monitors whether or not a control frame for controlling path protection switching between said redundant paths has been received via said working path, and which generates an alarm when said control frame has been received via said working path;
• a monitoring stop unit which, at the time of working/protection switching of said redundant paths, causes said monitoring unit to stop monitoring whether or not said control frame has been received via a previous working path which is the path used as said working path until said switching is completed;
• a transmission stop determining unit which determines whether the other of said two node apparatuses has stopped transmitting said control frame via a new working path which is the path used as said working path after said switching is completed;
• and
• a monitoring start unit which causes said monitoring unit to start monitoring whether or not said control frame has been received via said new working path, when it is determined that said other node apparatus has stopped transmitting said control frame via said new working path.