Understanding p-Cycles, Enhanced Rings, and Oriented Cycle Covers

This paper explains the important conceptual and technical differences between the method of p-cycles and two other recent advances involving a cyclic orientation to protection. These are enhanced rings and cycle double covers. The most fundamental difference that is unique to p-cycles is the aspect of straddling span failure protection. This enables mesh-like efficiency levels at well under 100% redundancy. In contrast enhanced rings and advanced cycle cover methods are both seeking to reduce span overlaps in what is otherwise a purely ring-like logical paradigm in which 100% redundancy remains the best that can possibly be achieved.