Method for supporting SNCP over packet network

A method for providing failure protection at the sub-network level in a network having a path traversing a plurality of sub-networks, such that a path failure in an individual sub-network is locally repaired and does not affect protection offered at another sub-network, the network comprising a first sub-network and a second sub-network, wherein the first sub-network and the second sub-network are in communication through a packet switched network, the method comprising the steps of:

• configuring the first sub-network protocol from a group consisting of Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET);
• configuring path protection for the first sub-network from a group consisting of Sub-network Connection Protocol (SNCP) and Unidirectional Path Switched Ring (UPSR);
• providing a first SNCP termination equipment (STE) in the first sub-network;
• providing a second STE in the first sub-network;
• configuring the first STE to terminate path protection from a first pseudo wire over the packet switched network between the first sub-network and the second sub-network;
• configuring the second STE to terminate path protection from a second pseudo wire over the packet switched network between the first sub-network and the second sub-network;
• configuring the second STE to terminate path protection from a third pseudo wire over the packet switched network between the first sub-network and the second sub-network;
• configuring the first STE to terminate path protection from a fourth pseudo wire over the packet switched network between the first sub-network and the second sub-network;
• and
• configuring the first STE and the second STE such that the packet sub-network transports data plane traffic over exactly one path between the first sub-network and the second sub-network selected from the group of paths including the first pseudo wire, the second pseudo wire, the third pseudo wire, and the fourth pseudo wire.