A method is disclosed of managing a network component change in a data communications network having as components nodes and links defining a pre-change topology. A transitioning node forwards all data assigned to the pre-change topology via the pre-change topology. The transitioning node defines a post-change topology. The transitioning node transitions from the pre-change to the post-change topology. Data assigned to the pre-change topology is assigned to the post-change topology, and the transitioning node forwards the data via the post-change topology.