OPTIMIZED FAST RE-ROUTE IN MPLS RING TOPOLOGIES

A method performed on a network element employing Multi protocol Label Switching (MPLS) to optimize bandwidth in a ring topology network including a back up Label Switch Path (LSP) for a protected LSP by re routing traffic onto the back up LSP to avoid shared links between the protected LSP and back up LSP including receiving a first labeled packet from another label switch router (LSR) in the back up LSP the first labeled packet indicating that a protection switch of data is to be performed from the protected LSP to the back up LSP determining whether a shared link in the ring topology network exists between the protected LSP and the back up LSP rerouting traffic for the protected LSP onto an optimized back up LSP to remove the shared link receiving a second labeled packet indicating that a protection switch of data is to be performed and restoring routing of the traffic onto the protected LSP in response to receiving the second labeled packet.