As well as providing control over network connection at the ring in and ring out ports, the Ringbuilder has three modes that also control the interaction with the rest of the ring.

Mode normal (1):- In this mode the ringbuilder's connections are determined by the states of the Ring In and Ring Out ports.

Mode repeater (2):- In this mode, the Ring In port is connected directly to the Ring Out port internally in the Ringbuilder. The external rings (main and backup) are passed straight through, while the MAUs controlled by the Ringbuilder are maintained as a stand-alone ring. In this mode, if either the Ring In or the Ring Out port is wrapped then both are forced to wrap, and the internal ring is unaffected.