Technique for protecting a point-to-multipoint primary tree in a connected mode communications network

1. A method of protecting a point-to-multipoint primary tree in a connected mode communications network set up from a primary root node to leaf nodes in an event of a fault affecting the primary root node by way of a back-up tree between a back-up root node and at least one merge node downstream from the back-up root node, said at least one merge node belonging to a branch of the primary tree downstream from the primary root node, said method including the following steps executed by said at least one merge node:

receiving a request to set up the back-up tree sent by the back-up root node; and

configuring a routing rule in a table, which is used to route packets coming from the back-up tree to branches of the primary tree downstream from said merge node;

wherein the set-up request comprises an identifier of the protected primary root node and said routing rule is activated only in the event of a fault affecting the identified primary root node; and

wherein packets are received by said at least one merge node from both the primary tree and the back-up tree, before the routing rule is activated.

2. The protection method according to claim 1 , wherein the set-up request comprises an identifier of the protected primary tree different from an identifier of the back-up tree.

3. The protection method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of sending the primary root node a notification indicating that protection of the primary tree in the event of a fault affecting the root node is configured.

4. The protection method according to claim 1 , further comprising steps of:

detecting a fault affecting the primary root node; and

activating said routing rule.

5. The protection method according to claim 4 , further comprising a step of notifying the back-up root node of activation of the protection.

6. The protection method according to claim 4 , further comprising a step of retaining the primary tree already set up for each branch of the primary tree coming from the merge node.

7. The protection method according to claim 4 , further comprising steps of:

receiving from the primary root node a restore request relating to the primary tree; and

activating another routing rule, which is used to route packets received on the primary tree to the branches of the primary tree coming from said merge node.

8. The protection method according to claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises before the step of receiving a request to restore the primary tree steps of:

detecting that the fault is over; and

sending the primary root node information relating to the primary tree.

9. A method of restoring in a connected mode communications network a point-to-multipoint primary tree set up from a primary root node to leaf nodes, said method comprising the following steps executed by said primary root node:

receiving from one or more downstream merge nodes, said merge nodes implementing the protecting method according to claim 1 , a notification indicating that protection of the primary tree in the event of a fault affecting the primary root node is provided by a back-up tree connected to the primary tree at said merge node;

detecting that a fault affecting the primary root tree is over; and

sending one or more downstream merge nodes a restore request relating to the primary tree.

10. A merge node (MP 1 , MP 2 , 300 ) in a connected mode communications network, said node contributing to protecting a point-to-multipoint primary tree set-up from a primary root node to leaf nodes in an event of a fault affecting the primary root node by way of a back-up tree between a back-up root node and at least one merge node belonging to a branch of the primary tree coming from the primary root node and comprising:

a receiving module for receiving a request to set up the back-up tree sent by the back-up root node and containing an identifier of the protected primary root node; and

a configuration routine for configuring a routing rule in a table which is used to route packets coming from the back-up tree to branches of the primary tree coming from said merge node only in the event of a fault affecting the primary root node;

wherein packets are received by said merge node from both the primary tree and the back-up tree, before the routing rule is activated.

11. A communications system in a connected mode communications network, comprising:

at least one root node, said node being the root of a point-to-multipoint primary tree set up to leaf nodes;

at least one merge node according to claim 10 ; and

a back-up root node comprising a sending module for sending a request to set up the back-up tree to a merge node, the set-up request containing an identifier of the protected primary root node, and receiver for receiving from a merge node a notification containing information relating to the configuration of the protection by merge node.

12. An article of manufacture including computer readable media with instructions encoded and stored thereon, the stored instructions, when executed causes the computer to perform the steps of:

receiving a request to set up the back-up tree sent by the back-up root node; and

configuring a routing rule in a table, which is used to route packets coming from the back-up tree to branches of the primary tree coming from said merge node;

wherein the set-up request comprises an identifier of the protected primary root node and said routing rule is activated only in an event of a fault affecting the identified primary root node;

wherein packets are received by said merge node from both the primary tree and the back-up tree, before the routing rule is activated.