reconfiguring a ring network having n nodes and s spans that prevents a maximum usage parameter to be exceeded . the network is configured by selecting a span as a protection span to remain idle . an effect of the configuration on the network that causes the network to exceed a maximum usage parameter is calculated . the network is reconfigured by selecting a different span as a protection span to remain idle based on a result of the step of calculating that a previous span selected as the protection span to remain idle causes the network to exceed a maximum usage parameter such that the maximum usage parameter of the reconfigured network is not exceeded .