An example method includes detecting a failure at a first network element, the failure is associated with a link between the first network element and a second network element. The method also includes generating a list of network elements to be notified based on the failure, the second network element is included on the list. The method further includes generating an alarm indication signal (AIS) message, the AIS message identifies a plurality of tunnels affected by the failure. The AIS message is communicated to the second network element. In more detailed embodiments, each link between the first network element and the second network element includes a globally unique link identifier, which includes an associated autonomous system number. The globally unique link identifier can represent a string to be associated with the plurality of tunnels, the globally unique link identifier includes a source address and a destination address.