Ethernet OAM

Until recently Ethernet lacked OAM functionality like that found in SONET/SDH or ATM, and therefore was not characterized as “carrier class.” Now it has acquired two types of OAM, one developed by the ITU and IEEE 802.1, and another by the EFM task force. The former is a full-featured OAM mechanism that can run end-to-end and includes all traditional OAM elements such as AIS, RDI and performance measurement. The latter is limited to continuity monitoring of a single link and is targeted at access applications. As the former protects the Ethernet service layer and the latter the Ethernet physical layer, the two can be complementary. However, it is not clear why there is a need for two different standards.

To better understand why service layer Ethernet OAM is the most important OAM protocol, download the complete white paper.