Chapter 38 OAM
XGS2210 Series User’s Guide
380
CHAPTER 38
OAM
38.1  OAM Overview 
Link layer Ethernet OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) as described in IEEE 802.3ah is a 
link monitoring protocol. It utilizes OAM Protocol Data Units or OAM PDUs to transmit link status 
information between directly connected Ethernet devices. Both devices must support IEEE 802.3ah. 
Because link layer Ethernet OAM operates at layer two of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection Basic 
Reference) model, neither IP or SNMP are necessary to monitor or troubleshoot network connection 
problems.
The Switch supports the following IEEE 802.3ah features:
• Discovery - this identifies the devices on each end of the Ethernet link and their OAM configuration.
• Remote Loopback - this can initiate a loopback test between Ethernet devices.
38.1.1  What You Can Do
• Use the OAM Status screen (Section 38.2 on page 380) to view the configuration of ports on which 
Ethernet OAM is enabled.
• Use the OAM Configuration screen (Section 38.3 on page 386) to enable Ethernet OAM on the Switch.
• Use the OAM Remote Loopback screen (Section 38.4 on page 388) to perform remote-loopback tests.
38.2  OAM Status
Use this screen to view the configuration of ports on which Ethernet OAM is enabled. Click Advanced 
Application > OAM in the navigation panel.