Fault-tolerant multicasting network

Abstract

A multicasting network includes a number of routers that are connected together to form a ring. The routers include a source router that identifies incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in both directions on the ring. The routers also include forwarding routers that identify incoming multicasting data packets, and forwards the multicasting data packets in only one direction on the ring. Further, each ring has two terminating routers that receive forwarded data packets on two external nodes, and accept forwarded data packets from only a first external node and not from a second external node. When a fault condition is detected that prevents data packets from being forwarded in a first direction on the ring, the routers down stream of the fault condition reconfigure themselves to receive forwarded data packets from the second direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a multicasting network and, more particularly, to a fault-tolerant multicasting network.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram that illustrates a prior-art communications network 100. As shown in FIG. 1, network 100 includes a number of customer premises 110, a central office 112 that is connected to the customer premises 110, and an ATM network 114 that is connected to the central office 112.

[0005] In this example, each customer premise 110 has a data device 120, such as a personal computer, a standard telephone 122, and a xDSL modem 124 that is connected to the data device 120 and the telephone 122. In operation, the xDSL modem 124 at each customer premise 110 splits the incoming signals received from central office 112 into incoming data signals for the data device 120 and incoming plain old telephone service (POTS) signals for the telephone 122. In addition, the modem 124 transmits outgoing signals to central office 112 by combining the outgoing data signals from the data device 120 and the outgoing POTS signals from the telephone 122.

[0006] Referring again to FIG. 1, central office 112 has a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) 130 that is connected to the xDSL modems 124 in the customer premises 110, and an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch 132 that is connected to DSLAM 130. In addition, central office 112 has an ATM router 134 that is connected to ATM switch 132 and the ATM network 114.

[0007] In operation, DSLAM 130 splits the outgoing signals received from each customer premise 110 into output POTS signals and output data signals. The output POTS signals are sent to the central office telephone switching system, while the output data signals are multiplexed together with the output data signals from the other customer premises to form an outgoing data stream.

[0008] DSLAM 130 also demultiplexes an incoming data stream from ATM switch 132 to form input data signals for each customer premise 110. Further, DSLAM 130 also combines the demultiplexed input data signals for a customer premise 110 with input POTS signals received from the central office switching system for the customer premise 110 to form the incoming signals for the customer premise 110.

[0009] In addition, ATM switch 132 receives the incoming data stream from DSLAM 130 and converts the data from a local data format to an ATM format. In the ATM format, data is loaded into fixed length packets known as cells. Each cell has a header section and a data section. The header section, in turn, includes a virtual connection identifier (VCI) that identifies the destination of the cell, and a virtual path identifier (VPI) that also identifies the destination of the cell. ATM switch 132 also converts received data from the ATM format to the local data format.

[0010] Further, router 134 examines the header section of the ATM cell and, based on the destination of the cell, forwards the cell to one of a number of other routers that are connected to ATM network 114. Router 134 also identifies ATM cells that are addressed to the downstream customer premises 110, and forwards those cells to ATM switch 132.

[0011] Central office 112 can be implemented with, for example, the Telliant 5000 Central Office System manufactured by Advanced Fiber Communications. One feature of the Telliant 5000 Central Office System is that router 134 includes a controller that has a multicast forwarding circuit. In the multicast forwarding circuit, router 134 identifies a received multicast data packet (e.g., using the internet group management protocol (IGMP)), and forwards the multicast data packet to one or more predefined outputs.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram that illustrates a prior-art network 200. As shown in FIG. 2, network 200 has a number of routers 210, including routers 210-1 through 210-7, and a number of high-speed data lines 212 that are connected to the routers 210 to form an ATM ring 214. In the FIG. 2 example, the routers 210 have a controller that has a multicast forwarding circuit, such as the routers in a Telliant 5000 Central Office System.

[0013] The high-speed data lines 212 can be implemented with, for example, fiber optic cables to form ATM ring 214 as a synchronous optical network (SONET) ATM ring. When implemented as a SONET ATM ring, an OC-12 interface can be used at each router 210 to provide a capacity of approximately 600 Mbps.

[0014] There are two types of SONET ATM rings conventionally used: a unidirectional ATM switched ring (UASR) and a bidirectional ATM switched ring (BASR). The SONET UASR is defined by Bellcore standard GR-1230-CORE, while the SONET BASR is defined by Bellcore standard GR-1400-CORE.

[0015] A SONET UASR utilizes two fiber optic cables that run between the routers 210: a working fiber and a protective fiber. In operation, the same information is transmitted on the working and protective fibers in opposite directions. When a fault, such as a cut cable or an equipment failure, is detected in or with a segment of a working fiber, the adjacent protective fiber is used to allow data to continue on to the destination routers 210.

[0016] Similarly, a SONET BASR ring has four fiber optic cables that run between the routers 210: two working fibers and two protective fibers. One working fiber and one protective fiber are clockwise fibers, while one working fiber and one protective fiber are counter-clockwise fibers. As above, when a working fiber fails, traffic is diverted to the protective fiber. Thus, SONET rings have the ability to heal themselves and are therefore highly survivable.

[0017] Referring again to FIG. 2, since the routers 210 include the multicast forwarding circuit, one router 210 in the ring is logically defined to be a source router 210S, while the remaining routers 210 in the ring are logically defined to be forwarding routers 210F. The source router 210S identifies a received multicast data packet, passes the data packet on to the ATM switch (132) connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet on in both directions on ring 214 to the other routers 210.

[0018] One the other hand, the forwarding routers 210F identify a forwarded multicast data packet, pass the data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forward the multicast data packet on in only one direction on the ring. In addition, although a forwarding router 210F can only forward a multicast data packet in one direction on ring 214, the forwarding router 210F can forward the multicast data packet on to other routers 210.

[0019] Further, two forwarding routers 210F in ring 214 are also logically defined to be terminating routers 210T. Terminating routers 210T receive multicast data packets from two directions on the ring, and only process the multicast data packets from one direction, ignoring the packets from the other direction.

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 2, router 210-1 is logically defined to be source router 210S, while routers 210-2 through 210-6 are logically defined to be forwarding routers 210F. In addition, routers 210-3 and 210-6 are both logically defined to be terminating routers 210T.

[0021] In operation, router 210-1 receives a data packet, identifies the packet as a multicast data packet, passes the data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to routers 210-2 and 210-4.

[0022] Router 210-2 receives the data packet, and identifies the packet as a multicast data packet. In addition, router 210-2 passes the packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to router 210-3. Router 210-3 does the same as router 210-2, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 210-6. However, as a terminating router, router 210-6 ignores the multicast data packet output by router 210-3.

[0023] Similarly, router 210-4 receives the data packet, and identifies the packet as a multicast data packet. Router 210-4 also passes the multicast data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to router 210-5. Router 210-5 does the same as router 210-4, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 210-6. Router 210-6 does the same as router 210-5, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 210-3.

[0024] However, as a terminating router, router 210-3 ignores the multicast data packet output by router 210-6. In addition, although router 210-5 can only forward the multicast data packet to router 210-6 as the next router in ring 214, router 210-5 can also forward the multicast data packet to router 210-7.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention provides a fault-tolerant multicasting network. The multicasting network includes a plurality of routers that are connected to form a ring. A router in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of interfaces that include a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is connected to a first medium, while the second interface is connected to a second medium.

[0026] The first interface has a first memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium, and a first look up table that identifies the second interface. The first interface also has a first controller that identifies the second interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept a received data packet from the first medium, and forwards the received data packet to the second interface when the first memory location indicates that the first interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium. The first interface also has first line sense circuitry that is electrically connected to the first medium that detects fault conditions.

[0027] The present invention also includes a router interface that has a memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the router interface can accept a data packet received from a medium. The router interface also has a look up table that can identify a forwarding router interface, and line sense circuitry that is electrically connected to the medium to detect fault conditions. The line sense circuitry generates a back up mode packet when the router interface can accept the received data packet from the medium and the line sense circuitry detects a fault condition.

[0028] Further, the router interface also includes a controller that identifies the forwarding router interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the router interface can accept a received data packet from the medium, and forwards the received data packet to the forwarding router interface when the memory location indicates that the router interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium. The controller forwards the back up mode packet to the forwarding router interface, and setsg the memory location to indicate that the router interface can not accept a data packet received from the medium.

[0029] The present invention also includes a method of responding to faults detected by a router that forwards data packets. The router has a plurality of interfaces that include a first interface and a second interface. The first interface is connected to a first medium, while the second interface is connected to a second medium.

[0030] In addition, the first interface has a first memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium, and first line sense circuitry that is electrically connected to the first medium that detects fault conditions. The method comprises the steps of generating a back up mode packet when the first line sense circuitry detects a fault condition, and forwarding the back up mode packet to the second interface. Further, the method includes the step of setting the first memory location to indicate that the first interface can not accept a data packet received from the first medium.

[0031] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings that set forth an illustrative embodiment in which the principles of the invention are utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a prior-art communications network 100.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a prior-art network 200.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a multicasting network 300 in accordance with the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of router 310 in accordance with the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of network 300 following a cable cut in accordance with the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of network 300 after router 310-6 has reversed its input and output circuits in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram that illustrates an example of a multicasting network 300 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, network 300 has a number of routers 310, including routers 310-1 through 310-7, and a number of high-speed data lines 312 that are connected to the routers 310 to form an ATM ring 314.

[0039] Each router 310 can be connected to an ATM switch which, in turn, is connected to a DSLAM as described above with respect to central office 112. In addition, the high-speed data lines 312 can be implemented with, for example, fiber optic cables to form ATM ring 314 as a synchronous optical network (SONET) ATM ring. Ring 314 can be implemented as, for example, a UASR or a BASR with an OC-12 or higher interface.

[0040] In operation, the routers 310 in ring 314 forward multicast data packets. As a result, one router 310 in ring 314 is logically defined to be a source router 310S, while the remaining routers 310 in ring 314 are logically defined to be forwarding routers 310F. The source router 310S identifies a received multicast data packet, passes the data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet on in both directions on ring 314 to the other routers 310.

[0041] The forwarding routers 310F identify a received multicast data packet, pass the data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forward the multicast data packet on in only one direction on ring 314. In addition, although a forwarding router 310F can only forward a multicast data packet in one direction on ring 314, the forwarding router 310F can forward the multicast data packet on to other routers 310.

[0042] Further, two forwarding routers 310F in ring 314 are also logically defined to be terminating routers 310T. Terminating routers 310T receive multicast data packets from two directions on ring 314, and only process the multicast data packets from one direction, ignoring the packets from the other direction.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 3, router 310-1 is logically defined to be source router 310S, while routers 310-2 through 310-6 are logically defined to be forwarding routers 310F. In addition, routers 310-3 and 310-6 are both logically defined to be terminating routers 310T.

[0044] As a result, router 310-1 receives a data packet, identifies the packet as a multicast data packet, passes the data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to routers 310-2 and 310-4.

[0045] Router 310-2 receives the data packet, and identifies the packet as a multicast data packet. In addition, router 310-2 passes the packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to router 310-3. Router 310-3 does the same as router 310-2, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 310-6. However, as a terminating router, router 310-6 ignores the multicast data packet output by router 310-3.

[0046] Similarly, router 310-4 receives the data packet, and identifies the packet as a multicast data packet. Router 310-4 also passes the multicast data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM, and forwards the multicast data packet to router 310-5. Router 310-5 does the same as router 310-4, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 310-6. Router 310-6 does the same as router 310-5, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 310-3.

[0047] However, as a terminating router, router 310-3 ignores the multicast data packet output by router 310-6. In addition, although router 310-5 can only forward the multicast data packet to router 310-6 as the next router on the ring, router 310-5 can also forward the multicast data packet to router 310-7.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram that illustrates an example of router 310 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in the FIG. 4 example, router 310 has a number of interfaces 410 that include a first interface 410A, a second interface 410B, a third interface 410C, and a fourth interface 410D. (A greater or lesser number of interfaces may be included.) The interfaces 410A-410B are internally connected to each other such that each interface 410A-410D can forward a data packet to any of the remaining interfaces 410A-410D of router 310.

[0049] The first interface 410A, which is connected to an external medium E1, such as a fiber optic cable, includes a memory location M1 that stores a value that indicates whether interface 410A can accept a data packet received from external medium E1, and a look up table 412A that can identify other interfaces 410 of router 310.

[0050] Further, interface 410A includes a controller 414A that has a multicast packet detection circuit, a forwarding circuit, and a transmission circuit. When memory location M1 indicates that interface 410A can accept a data packet from external medium E1, controller 414A detects and forwards multicast data packets received from medium E1 to one of the other internal interfaces 410 as defined in look up table 412A.

[0051] On the other hand, when memory location M1 indicates that interface 410A can not accept a data packet from external medium E1, controller 414A drops multicast packets that are received from medium E1. The transmitting circuit, in turn, receives data packets from other interfaces 410 of router 310 and transmits those packets onto external medium E1.

[0052] Similarly, the second interface 410B, which is connected to an external medium E2, such as a fiber optic cable, includes a memory location M2 that stores a value that indicates whether interface 410B can accept a data packet received from external medium E2, and a look up table 412B that can identify other interfaces 410 of router 310.

[0053] Further, interface 410B includes a controller 414B that has a multicast packet detection circuit, a forwarding circuit, and a transmission circuit. When memory location M2 indicates that interface 410B can accept a data packet from external medium E2, controller 414B detects and forwards multicast data packets received from medium E2 to one of the other internal interfaces 410 as defined in look up table 412B.

[0054] On the other hand, when memory location M2 indicates that interface 410B can not accept a data packet from external medium E2, controller 414B drops multicast packets that are received from medium E2. The transmitting circuit, in turn, receives data packets from other interfaces 410 of router 310 and transmits those packets onto external medium E2.

[0055] The third interface 410C, which is connectable to an external medium, includes a memory location M3 that stores a value that indicates whether interface 410C can accept a data packet received from an external medium, and a look up table 412C that can identify other interfaces 410 of router 310. Further, interface 410C includes a controller 414C that has a multicast packet detection circuit, a forwarding circuit, and a transmission circuit.

[0056] The fourth interface 410D, which is connectable to an external medium, includes a memory location M4 that stores a value that indicates whether interface 410D can accept a data packet received from an external medium, and a look up table 412D that can identify other interfaces 410 of router 310. Further, interface 410D includes a controller 414D that has a multicast packet detection circuit, a forwarding circuit, and a transmission circuit.

[0057] For example, with reference to FIG. 3, during normal multicast operation, the interface of router 310-3 that is connected to router 310-2 is input enabled (the memory location indicates that packets can be received from router 310-2 via the external medium), and has an associated look up table that contains one entry that identifies the interface of router 310-3 that is connected to router 310-6. As a result, when the interface receives multicast packets from router 310-2, the controller passes on the packets to the interface that is connected to router 310-6, which then transmits the packets to router 310-6.

[0058] On the other hand, the interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 is not input enabled (the memory location indicates that packets can not be received from router 310-3 via the external medium). As a result, when the interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 receives a packet from router 310-3, the controller of the interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 drops the packet.

[0059] Referring back to FIG. 4, interface 410A also includes line sense circuitry 416A that detects fault conditions on external medium E1. Similarly, interfaces 410B, 410C, and 410D have line sense circuitry 416B, 416C, and 416D, respectively. Line sense circuitry 416B detects fault conditions on external medium E2, while circuitry 416C and 416D detect faults of a medium connected to the interfaces.

[0060] For example, assume that interface 410A can accept a multicast data packet from medium E1, interface 410B can not accept a data packet from medium E2, and look up table 412A identifies interface 410B. During normal multicasting operation, interface 410A receives and forwards data packets to interface 410B, which then transmits the data packets to medium E2.

[0061] When a fault condition, such as a cut cable or equipment failure, is detected by interface 410A, line sense circuitry 416A generates a back up mode packet, and passes the back up mode packet to controller 414A. Once received, controller 414A passes the back up mode packet to interface 410B, and changes memory location M1 to indicate that interface 410A can not accept a data packet from external medium E1.

[0062] When interface 410B receives the back up mode packet, controller 414B recognizes the back up mode packet, transmits the back up mode packet onto external medium E2 to the next router 310, and sets memory location M2 to indicate that interface 410B can accept a data packet from external medium E2.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram that illustrates an example of a network 300 following a cable cut in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, network 300 has a cut cable segment between routers 310-4 and 310-5. During a multicasting session, the line sense circuitry monitors the condition of the fiber optic cable input to router 310.

[0064] When the line sense circuitry of the interface of router 310-5 that is connected to router 310-4 detects the fault condition, the interface outputs a back up mode packet BMP to the interface of router 310-5 that is connected to router 310-6, and sets its memory location to indicate that the interface can not accept data packets from router 310-4. The interface of router 310-5 that is connected to router 310-6 then transmits the back up mode packet BMP to router 310-6, and sets its memory location to indicate that the interface can accept data packets from router 310-6.

[0065] The interface of router 310-6 that receives the back up mode packet BMP from router 310-5 recognizes the packet, forwards the back up mode packet BMP to the interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3, and sets its memory location to indicate that the interface can not accept data packets from router 310-5.

[0066] The interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 recognizes the packet, transmits the back up mode packet BMP to the interface of router 310-3 that is connected to router 310-6, and sets its memory location to indicate that the interface can accept data packets from router 310-3.

[0067] The interface of router 310-3 that is connected to router 310-6 drops the back up mode packet BMP because the interface of router 310-3 that is connected to router 310-6 is not input enabled (the memory location indicates that packets can not be received from router 310-6 via the external medium).

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram that illustrates an example of network 300 after router 310-6 has reversed its input and output interfaces in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, after the interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 has set its memory location to indicate that data packets can now be receivied, the multicast data packets from router 310-3 that were originally ignored by router 310-6 are now received by router 310-6.

[0069] The interface of router 310-6 that is connected to router 310-3 identifies the packet as a multicast data packet, and passes the multicast data packet on to the ATM switch connected to the DSLAM. In addition, the interface checks its look up table, and passes the multicast data packets on to the interface which is connected to router 310-5, which then transmits the packets to router 310-5.

[0070] Router 310-5 does the same as router 310-6, and forwards the multicast data packet on to router 310-7. Thus, when a fault condition is detected in a multicasting session, the line sense circuits in the effected routers respond to the condition so that the effected routers can be quickly reconfigured to maintain a continual flow of multicast data to the effected routers.

[0071] Once the broken cable or equipment failure has been fixed and the user wants ring 314 to return to the original normal mode of operation, the user manually configures router 310-6 to go back to the normal mode. Specifically, the user sets the memory location to indicate that the interface connected to router 310-5 can now accept data packets from router 310-5, while the interface that is connected to router 310-3 can no longer accept data packets from router 310-3.

[0072] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, router 310-6 sends out a normal mode packet NMP to router 310-5 which, in turn, sets its memory location to indicate that the interface connected to router 310-4 can now accept data packets from router 310-4, while the interface connected to router 310-6 can no longer accept data packets from router 310-6.

[0073] Further, router 310-5 also forwards the normal mode packet NMP to router 310-4. However, since the interface of router 310-4 is not input enabled (the memory location indicates that packets can not be received from the external medium), router 310-4 ignores the normal mode packet NMP from router 310-5. At this point, the network reverts back to the original operating condition.

[0074] It should be understood that the above descriptions are examples of the present invention, and that various alternatives of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. Thus, it is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that structures and methods within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

Claims

1. A router comprising: a plurality of interfaces that include a first interface and a second interface, the first interface being connected to a first medium, the second interface being connected to a second medium, the first interface having: a first memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium; a first look up table that identifies the second interface; a first controller that identifies the second interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept a received data packet from the first medium, and forwards the received data packet to the second interface when the first memory location indicates that the first interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium; and first line sense circuitry electrically connected to the first medium that detects fault conditions.

2. The router of claim 1 wherein the first line sense circuitry generates a back up mode packet when the first interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium and the first line sense circuitry detects a fault condition.

3. The router of claim 2 wherein the first controller forwards the back up mode packet to the second interface, and sets the first memory location to indicate that the first interface can not accept a data packet received from the first medium.

4. The router of claim 3 wherein the second interface includes: a second memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium; and a second controller that forwards data packets received from other interfaces of the router to the second medium.

5. The router of claim 4 wherein the second controller receives the back up mode packet, transmits the back up mode packet onto the second medium, and sets the second memory location to indicate that the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium.

6. The router of claim 5 wherein the second interface further includes: a second look up table that identifies the first interface; and second line sense circuitry connected to the second medium that detects fault conditions.

7. The router of claim 2 wherein when the first interface drops a data packet received from the first medium when the first memory location indicates that the first interface can not accept a data packet received from the first medium.

8. The router of claim 7 wherein the second interface drops a data packet received from the second medium when the second memory location indicates that the second interface can not accept a data packet received from the second medium.

9. The router of claim 4 wherein the second controller identifies the first interface from the second look up table when the second memory location indicates that the second interface can accept a received data packet from the second medium, and forwards the received data packet to the first interface when the second memory location indicates that the second interface can accept the received data packet received from the second medium.

10. A network comprising: a plurality of medium segments; a plurality of routers connected to the plurality of medium segments to form a ring, each router having a plurality of interfaces that include a first interface and a second interface, the first and second interfaces being connected to different medium segments, the first interface having: a first memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium; a first look up table that identifies the second interface; a first controller that identifies the second interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept a received data packet from the first medium, and forwards the received data packet to the second interface when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium; and first line sense circuitry connected to the first medium that detects fault conditions.

11. The network of claim 1 wherein the first line sense circuitry generates a back up mode packet when the first interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium segment and the first line sense circuitry detects a fault condition.

12. The network of claim 11 wherein the controller forwards the back up mode packet to the second interface and sets the memory location to indicate that the first interface can not accept a data packet received from the first medium segment.

13. The network of claim 12 wherein when the second interface includes: a second memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium; and a second controller that forwards data packets received from other interfaces of the router to the second medium.

14. The network of claim 13 wherein the second controller receives the back up mode packet, transmits the back up mode packet onto the second medium segment, and sets the memory location to indicate that the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium segment.

15. The network of claim 12 and further including a plurality of ATM switches, an ATM switch being connected to each router in the ring.

16. The network of claim 15 and further including a plurality digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAMs), a DSLAM being connected to an ATM switch.

17. A method of responding to faults detected by a router that forwards data packets, the router having: a plurality of interfaces that include a first interface and a second interface, the first interface being connected to a first medium, the second interface being connected to a second medium, the first interface having: a first memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium; and first line sense circuitry electrically connected to the first medium that detects fault conditions, the method comprising the steps of: generating a back up mode packet when the first line sense circuitry detects a fault condition; forwarding the back up mode packet to the second interface; and setting the first memory location to indicate that the first interface can not accept a data packet received from the first medium.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first interface includes: a first look up table that identifies the second interface; a first controller that identifies the second interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept a received data packet from the first medium, and forwards the received data packet to the second interface when the memory location indicates that the first interface can accept a data packet received from the first medium; and the second interface includes: a second memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium; and a second controller that forwards data packets received from other interfaces of the router to the second medium.

19. The method of claim 18 and further comprising the steps of: receiving the back up mode packet; transmitting the back up mode packet onto the second medium; and setting the second memory location to indicate that the second interface can accept a data packet received from the second medium.

20. A router interface comprising: a memory location that stores a value that indicates whether the router interface can accept a data packet received from the medium; a look up table that can identify a forwarding router interface; line sense circuitry electrically connected to the medium to detect fault conditions, the line sense circuitry generating a back up mode packet when the router interface can accept the received data packet from the medium and the line sense circuitry detects a fault condition a controller that identifies the forwarding router interface from the look up table when the memory location indicates that the router interface can accept a received data packet from the medium, and forwards the received data packet to the forwarding router interface when the memory location indicates that the router interface can accept the received data packet from the first medium, the controller forwarding the back up mode packet to the forwarding router interface, and setting the memory location to indicate that the router interface can not accept a data packet received from the medium.