a data communication network includes a plurality of primary virtual bridges , interconnected by primary virtual connections so as to transmit and receive data packets over the network to and from edge devices connected thereto . one or more backup virtual bridges , each associated with at least one of the primary virtual bridges , are connected by at least one secondary virtual connection to at least another one of the primary virtual bridges , so that upon a failure of one of the primary virtual bridges with which it is associated , the backup virtual bridge transmits and receives the data packets over the network via the at least one secondary virtual connection in place of the at least one of the primary virtual bridges .