An Ethernet MAC APS Control sublayer (305) is provided for supporting SDH/SONET APS standard functionality in Ethernet Networks. In accordance with one embodiment, an Ethernet MAC APS Control sublayer (305) is provided for processing Ethernet MAC APS Control frames (301B). The MAC APS Control sublayer (305) provides support for a MAC Client APS Controller to implement all of the SDH/SONET APS standard functionality. The MAC APS Control frame (301B) provides support for SDH/SONET K1/K2 APS signaling protocol on Ethernet networks. The near end APS Controller can use the MAC APS Control frames to communicate with the far end APS controller during switchover and other APS operational requests. The far end APS controller, in turn, can use the MAC APS Control frames (301B) to communicate with the near end APS controller for switchover and other APS operational requests.