rapid ring protection protocol (core) (RRPP)

The preferred topology in high- performance networks is Ethernet in ring topology. In this topology, the network components are directly connected to the ring. Since corresponding networks are susceptible to broadcast storms, a mechanism was developed in the form of the Rapid Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP) that provides corresponding protection against broadcast storms and also establishes new connections in an extremely short time.

The Rapid Ring Protection Protocol (RRPP) is a data link layerprotocol. It protects Ethernet ring constellations from brodcast storms and establishes backup links between network nodes extremely quickly once a link has been removed from the ring. Compared to the Scheduled Transfer Protocol ( STP), the RRPP protocol operates much faster and restructures convergence in about 50 ms, regardless of the size of the Ethernet network. Various high-performance components such as core switches support the RRPP protocol.

Alternative fault-tolerant solutions for Ethernet ring topologies are Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching( EAPS) from Extreme Networks and Ethernet Protection Switching Ring( EPSR) from Allied Telesis.