Replacing an Existing Network Communications Path with a New Path Using Some Exclusive Physical Resources of the Existing Path

摘要

In one embodiment, a replacement network communications path is determined using dedicated resources of an existing path. One or more network elements in a network determines a new communications path between a first network node and a second network node in the network while an existing communications path is currently configured in the network to carry traffic between the first and second network nodes. The existing communications path includes one or more exclusive physical resources dedicated to the existing communications path. The new communications path includes at least one of said exclusive physical resources dedicated to the existing communications path. One embodiment includes: subsequent to said determining the new communications path, removing the existing communications path from service, and then instantiating the new communications path, with the new communications path including said at least one of said exclusive physical resources.