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101 
Chapter 12 EFM OAM Configuration 
12.1 Introduction to EFM OAM 
Ethernet  is  designed  for  Local  Area  Network  at  the  beginning,  but  link  length  and  network 
scope  is  extended  rapidly  while  Ethernet  is  also  applied  to  Metropolitan  Area  Network  and 
Wide  Area  Network  along  with  development.  Due  to  lack  the  effectively  management 
mechanism,  it  affects  Ethernet application to  Metropolitan  Area Network  and Wide  Area 
Network, implementing OAM on Ethernet becomes a necessary development trend.  
There  are  four  protocol  standards  about Ethernet  OAM,  they  are  802.3ah  (EFM  OAM), 
802.3ag (CFM), E-LMI and Y.1731. EFM OAM and CFM are set for IEEE organization. EFM 
OAM works in data link layer to validly discover and manage the data link status of rock-bottom. 
Using EFM OAM can effectively advance management and maintenance for Ethernet to 
ensure  the  stable  network  operation.  CFM  is  used  for  monitoring  the  whole  network 
connectivity and locating the fault in access aggregation network layer. Compare with CFM, 
Y.1731 standard set by ITU (International Telecommunications Union) is more powerful. E-LMI 
standard  set  by  MEF  is  only  applied  to  UNI.  So  above  protocols  can  be  used  to  different 
network topology and management, between them exist the complementary relation. 
EFM  OAM  (Ethernet  in  the  First  Mile  Operation,  Administration  and  Maintenance)  works  in 
data link layer of OSI model to implement the relative functions through OAM sublayer, figure 
is as bleow: 
OSI Model
Application
Presentation
Session
Transport
Network
Data Link
Physical
Higher layers
LLC
OAM(Optional)
MAC
Physical Layer
LAN
CSMA/CD
Layers
OAM location in OSI model 
OAM protocol data units (OAMPDU) use destination MAC address  01-80-c2-00-00-02 of 
protocol, the max transmission rate is 10Pkt/s. 
EFM  OAM  is  established on  the  basis  of  OAM  connection,  it  provides  a  link  operation 










