A system and method to provide a protection ring in an Audio Visual Bridging (AVB) network is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring a first status of links coupled to a plurality of devices in a ring network, receiving a second status of links of other devices in the ring network, and signaling devices in the ring network to generate a logical loop-free topology based upon a stored static physical configuration, the first status of the links and the second status of links of other network devices in the ring network. The method also includes the step of determining an allocation of flows to links based on stored flow characteristics. Determining an allocation of flows to links includes programming a transmit scheduler to provide a first percentage of bandwidth for Audio Video Bridging (AVB) flows while reserving a second percentage of bandwidth for non-AVB flows. The method further includes programming a forwarding unit to forward flows to their destination based on the logical loop-free topology.