Information OAMPDU: Information OAMPDU is used for discovery. It transmits the state
information of an OAM entity (including local, remote, and organization-specific information)
to another OAM entity, and maintains OAM connection.
Event Notification OAMPDU: Event Notification OAMPDU is used for link monitoring. It is
sent as an alarm when a failure occurs to the link connecting the local OAM entity and a
remote OAM entity.
Loopback Control OAMPDU: Loopback Control OAMPDU is used to control the remote
client’s OAM remote loopback state. Its Data field consists of a remote loopback command to
enable or disable the OAM remote loopback, so that the local client can enable/disable
loopback on the remote OAM entity.
OAM Functions
As defined by IEEE 802.3 Clause 57, Ethernet in the First Mile., OAM functions include Discovery,
Link Monitoring, Remote Failure Indication, and Remote Loopback.
Discovery
Discovery is the first phase of Ethernet OAM. During this phase, an OAM entity discovers other
OAM entities and establishes connections using Information OAMPDUs.
As for OAM connection, an OAM entity can operate in two modes: active and passive. Only the
active OAM entity can initiate an OAM connection process. The passive OAM entity waits and
responds to OAM connection establishment requests. Interconnected OAM entities notify the peer
of their OAM configuration information and the OAM capabilities of the local nodes to support
OAM by exchanging Information OAMPDUs, and then determine if OAM connections can be
established. Only when the settings concerning Loopback, link detecting, and link event of the
both side match can an OAM connection be established.
Figure 8-2 OAM Discovery
The difference between active OAM mode and passive OAM mode is shown as follows.
Item Active OAM mode Passive OAM mode
Initiating OAM Discovery Available Unavailable
Responding to OAM Discovery Available Available
Transmitting Information OAMPDUs Available Available
Transmitting Event Notification
OAMPDUs Available Available
Transmitting Information OAMPDUs
with the Data/Pad field being empty Available Available
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