Ethernet protection systems and methods with fast traffic recovery eliminating flooding, learning, and flushing

Systems and methods for Ethernet forwarding based on inferring topology in a G.8032 ring via control frames, implemented in a network element, include monitoring received control frames; determining which line port on the network element in the G.8032 ring is active based on the received control frames such that the topology of the G.8032 ring is inferred based on the received control frames; and forwarding data frames on the determined line port. The systems and methods can further include, subsequent to a fault and associated G.8032 protection which modifies ring blocks in the G.8032 ring, determining a change in the topology based on the received control frames; and updating the forwarding of the data frames based on the change.