US Patent 7835267 Dynamic path protection in an optical network

A method and system for dynamic protection of virtual links for paths of an optical network in communication with an IP network are disclosed. The method includes establishing two or more paths within the optical network and grouping the paths in a dynamic bundle. The grouping is selected at a control plane level and the bundle of paths are recognized as a single routing adjacency in the IP network so that as long as one or more paths within the bundle is operating, the routing adjacency in the IP network is not affected by changes within the bundle.