A bandwidth brokering system and method incorporating methodology for supporting self-healing communication rings is disclosed. The present invention utilizes state-based tokens that are transmitted on a separate communication channel between network nodes to monitor and correct communication failures occurring at a link, interface, and network node level. The invention as taught permits generic brokering of all available network bandwidth in a granular method without the need for fixed designations of "protection" or "working" communication paths. As such, the present invention permits integration of "protection" and "working" communication data paths to permit full utilization of available system bandwidth with graceful recovery in the event of system or link malfunctions. While the present invention is optimally adapted to use in optical communications systems and specifically those incorporating wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), and ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing, the teachings presented are equally well adapted to situations where other communications mediums are utilized in a multi-carrier, wireless, or spread-spectrum environment, among others.

 
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