An Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) method and the corresponding apparatus and communication equipment are disclosed. The method includes: when a link on an Ethernet ring network is faulty, judging whether the faulty link is a link where the normally blocked port is located; sending a control message which carries first indication information if the faulty link is the link where the normally blocked port is located; the ring node avoids clearing of a forwarding table after receiving the control message which carries the first indication information; sending the control message which carries second indication information if the faulty link is not the link where the normally blocked port is located; and the ring node clears the forwarding table after receiving the control message which carries the second indication information. Through the method and apparatus according to the present disclosure, the broadcast traffic generated by unnecessary clearing of the forwarding table and self-learning is reduced effectively.