Methods, software products, and systems establish a connection between a source network element and a destination network element in a communication network comprising a plurality of first network elements. The first network elements are partitioned into at least two areas wherein a shared network element is shared between the at least two areas. A working path is then generated between the source network element and the destination network element through the shared network element. A first backup sub-path is then generated within a first one of the at least two areas between the source network element and the shared network element. A second backup sub-path is generated within a second one of the at least two areas between the shared network element and the destination network element.