The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method of configuring a reference signal to manage backhaul (BH) links in an integrated access and BH (IAB) is provided. The method includes providing channel measurement and reporting information, and using the channel measurement and reporting information to discover and maintain backup BH links.