Provided is a method of constituting a highly reliable control network in an IP-based network environment and, more particularly, a protocol technology for automatic control channel constitution and protection. The method includes functions of protection group (PG)-1 / 3 control channel identification, detour control channel identification, an automatic switchover, a forced switchover, a control channel unavailability notice, a protection / switchover properties information inquiry, an Hello, a protocol error notice, and re-transmission. This invention provides a protection mechanism of control channels without additional overhead and with higher level of resilience capability to improve shortcomings of the LMP and MPLS based schemes.