Administration > ERPS

The ITU G.8032 recommendation specifies a protection switching mechanism and protocol for Ethernet layer network rings. Ethernet rings can provide wide-area multipoint connectivity more economically due to their reduced number of links. The mechanisms and protocol defined in G.8032 achieve highly reliable and stable protection; and never form loops, which would fatally affect network operation and service availability.

The G.8032 recommendation, also referred to as Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS), can be used to increase the availability and robustness of Ethernet rings. An Ethernet ring built using ERPS can provide resilience at a lower cost and than that provided by SONET or EAPS rings.

ERPS is more economical than EAPS in that only one physical link is required between each node in the ring. However, since it can tolerate only one break in the ring, it is not as robust as EAPS. ERPS supports up to 255 nodes in the ring structure. ERPS requires a higher convergence time when more that 16 nodes are used, but should always run under than 500 ms.

ERPS Configuration

Use the Administration > ERPS (Configure Global) page to globally enable or disable ERPS on the switch.

ERPS Ring Configuration

Use the Administration > ERPS (Configure Domain) pages to configure ERPS rings.

An ERPS ring containing one Control VLAN and one or more protected Data VLANs must be configured, and the global ERPS function enabled on the switch before a ring can start running. Once enabled, the RPL owner node and non-owner node state machines will start, and the ring will enter the active state.

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ERPS Forced and Manual Mode Operations

Use the Administration > ERPS (Configure Operation) page to block a ring port using Forced Switch or Manual Switch commands.