Systems and methods for routing data in a network

A system for routing data through a network comprising a plurality of nodes connected by links, the plurality of nodes comprising at least three nodes including a first node and a second node that are sources of data transmitted in the network, the system comprising:

• a first computing device for determining, for each of the nodes in the network, a shortest path tree to each of the other nodes in the network;
• and
• a second computing device for blocking, for data sourced from the first node, the link or links not included in the shortest path tree determined for the first node without blocking any of the nodes of the network, while allowing the data sourced from the second node to travel in the network according to the shortest path tree determined for the second node;
• wherein the shortest path tree determined for the second node includes a link in the link or links not included in the shortest path tree determined for the first node;
• wherein the nodes of the network are arranged in first and second rings;
• and
• wherein the first and second rings of the nodes are collapsed together prior to determining the shortest path tree.

A method for routing data through a network, the network including a plurality of nodes, the nodes connected by links, the plurality of nodes comprising at least three nodes including a first node and a second node that are sources of data transmitted in the network, the method comprising:

• for each of the nodes in the network, determining, by a computing device, a shortest path tree to each of the other nodes in the network;
• for data sourced from the first node, blocking the link or links not included in the shortest path tree determined for the first node without blocking any of the nodes of the network, while allowing data sourced from the second node to travel in the network according to the shortest path tree determined for the second node;
• and
• for the data sourced from the second node, blocking the link or links not included in the shortest path tree determined for the second node, while allowing the data sourced from the second node to travel in the network according to the shortest path tree determined for the second node;
• wherein the shortest path tree determined for the first node includes a link in the link or links not included in the shortest path tree determined for the second node;
• wherein the nodes of the network are arranged in first and second rings;
• and
• wherein the first and second rings of the nodes are collapsed together prior to determining the shortest path tree.