In this example embodiment, an alternate protection scheme is presented that avoids the need to install a dedicated secondary optical line between {HEAD ~ the OLT 701A, B} and {TAIL ~ the AG ONU} 705 
In this example embodiment , an alternate protection scheme is presented that avoids the need to install a dedicated secondary optical line between { HEAD ~ the OLT 701A , B } and { TAIL ~ the AG ONU } 705
OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH OTH HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD HEAD OTH TAIL TAIL TAIL TAIL TAIL TAIL TAIL OTH