Ethernet CFM concepts and components

Ethernet CFM function

The NFM-P Ethernet Connectivity Fault Management, or Ethernet CFM, function is implemented based on the IEEE 802.1ag OAM standard. This standard describes protocols for detecting, isolating, and reporting connectivity faults in an Ethernet network.

You can use Ethernet CFM for the following:

• path discovery

• fault detection

• fault isolation

• fault notification

Ethernet CFM diagnostic tests are configured using the NFM-P Service Test Manager. See Chapter 89, Service Test Manager for more information about the STM. See Chapter 90, OAM diagnostic tests for more information about CFM diagnostic tests.

MDs

The IEEE 802.1ag OAM standard partitions a network into eight hierarchical levels called maintenance domains, or MDs. An MD is a network, or part of a network, that is provisioned with a set of maintenance entity groups, or MEGs, which are groups of service sites.