Distributed preconfiguration of spare capacity in closed paths for network restoration

A method of operating a telecommunications network in which the telecommunications network includes plural distinct nodes interconnected by plural distinct spans each node having a switching machine for making and breaking connections between channels in adjacent spans, the method comprising:

• connecting spare capacity in closed path self-healing rings by making connections between channels in adjacent spans, each closed path self-healing ring extending through a set of nodes, with at least one spare link between each pair of adjacent nodes in the closed path self-healing ring, in readiness for a span failure;
• and
• configuring the telecommunications network to:
• (A) restore working traffic affected by a span failure on a span that is part of a closed path self-healing ring by routing signals along surviving nodes of the closed path self-healing ring;
• and
• (B) restore working traffic affected by a span failure on a span between two nodes that are part of a closed path self-healing ring, and the span is not within the closed path self-healing ring, by routing signals along the closed path self-healing ring,
• thereby enabling the restoration path of a self-healing ring network while retaining the capacity efficiency of a span restorable mesh network.