An optical transceiver for use in network device in a packet network is provided. The network device may not be capable of providing a ring topology without use of the apparatus. The network device is configured to support at least two optical interfaces and an electrical interface, and coupled to an optical link. The optical transceiver includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and a scheduler coupled to the processor. The scheduler of the optical transceiver is configured to perform as an information base for forwarding and transferring of packets and to use an optical link as a packet buffer.

Techniques implementing redundancy in an extended bridge comprising a controller bridge (CB) unit and a plurality of port extender (PE) units are provided. In one embodiment, the CB unit can receive join requests from the plurality of PE units and can determine, based on the join requests, whether the plurality of PE units are physically connected to the CB unit and/or other CB units in the extended bridge according to a ring topology. If the plurality of PE units are physically connected to the CB unit or the other CB units according to a ring topology, the CB unit can select a link in the ring topology as being a standby link.

An optical transceiver for use in network device in a packet network is provided. The network device may not be capable of providing a ring topology without use of the apparatus. The network device is configured to support at least two optical interfaces and an electrical interface, and coupled to an optical link. The optical transceiver includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and a scheduler coupled to the processor. The scheduler of the optical transceiver is configured to perform as an information base for forwarding and transferring of packets and to use an optical link as a packet buffer.