An Ethernet protection switching method based on a change in link status in a link aggregation sublayer is disclosed. If an Ethernet link aggregation sublayer is present on an Ethernet connection path, a link aggregation sublayer Management Entity Group (MEG) end point is assigned to the Ethernet link aggregation sublayer to generate a link aggregation message for Ethernet connection management and protection switching. When a change in link status is detected in the Ethernet link aggregation sublayer, the link-aggregation-sublayer MEG end point generates and sends the link aggregation message to an MEG end point performing Ethernet connection management and protection switching. Adequate Ethernet protection switching may be performed even in the presence of the link aggregation sublayer.