The value of tmnxEthRingGuardTime specifies the guard timer, in deciseconds, of a Ring-APS (R-APS) node. The guard timer is used to prevent the Ethernet Ring node from acting upon outdated R-APS messages and prevent the possibility of forming a closed loop. While the guard timer is running, any received R-APS Request/State and Status information is blocked and not forwarded to the Priority Logic. When the guard timer is not running, the R-APS Request/State and Status information is forwarded unchanged.