RAD Ethernet OAM Guide
RAD Ethernet OAM Guide
RAD Ethernet OAM Guide
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................. 2 OAM Standards......................................................................................... 2 Ethernet Link OAM .........................................................................................3 Ethernet Service OAM.....................................................................................3 OAM Functions and Mechanisms for Ethernet Based Networks .........................4 Service OAM Requirements and Framework .....................................................5
Introduction
OAM is a set of functions designed to monitor network operation in order to detect network faults and measure its performance. As Ethernet evolves from enterprise-level LANs to carrier-class networks and services, it requires automated end-to-end management and monitoring by service providers. As a result, Ethernet is the most recent communications protocol to adopt OAM capabilities such as connectivity verification, fault detection, performance monitoring, and alarm indication. OAM functionality allows network operators to measure quality of service attributes such as Availability, Frame Delay, Frame Delay Variation (Jitter) and Frame Loss. Such measurements enable identification of problems before they escalate so that users are not impacted by network defects. Furthermore, these capabilities allow the operators to offer binding SLAs and generate new revenues from rate- and performance-guaranteed service packages that are tailored to the specific needs of their customers. Effective end-to-end service control also enables carriers to avoid expensive truck rolls to locate and contain faults thereby facilitating reduction of maintenance costs. Intrinsic OAM functionality is therefore essential in any carrier class technology and is a must have capability in intelligent Ethernet network termination units.
OAM Standards
A significant milestone in making Ethernet services carrier-grade is the development of industry standards. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum), have been working in close cooperation to establish complementary, rather than overlapping, Ethernet OAM standards.
The following procedures are included in IEEE 802.1ag standard: Connectivity check Loopback Link trace
Performance Management: o o o Frame Loss Measurements (ETH-LM) Frame Delay Measurements (ETH-DM) Frame Delay Variation Measurements
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