specification has enabled the service providers to extend the Ethernet from LAN to WAN with the help, of FTTX technologies.

However, when Ethernet replaces the traditional Sonet/SDH based technology in carrier networks, suitable OAM support is needed as was available for SONET/SDH etc. This is provided in the Services OAM specifications (ITU-Y 1731 and IEEE 802.1ag).

IEEE standards relating to Provider Bridges and Provider Backbone Bridges need to be implemented by equipment manufacturers to provide support for Carrier Ethernet. MPLS continues to be the predominant technology in the core of the network and is being positioned as the basis for Provider Backbone Transport (PBT) technology.

Net-O₂'s Carrier Ethernet Test offerings include Net-O₂ ATTEST-XP and Net-O₂ ATTEST-CTS.

Net-O₂ ATTEST-XP Carrier Ethernet Test Suites perform Comprehensive testing of Carrier Ethernet features such as 802.1ag (Connectivity Fault Management), 802.3ah (Link OAM), Y.1731 (Service OAM).

Test cases are provided for areas such as handling of valid/invalid PDUs, CFM Fault notification/isolation/verification, OAM link monitoring/fault detection/remote loopback control/peer discovery. It includes cases to verify the support of test signals, Alarms, Frame loss, Frame delay measurements and the support for various vendor and experimental TLVs specified in Y.1731.

The test suite contains test cases that verify the devices capability for large number of remote End Points (MEPs/MEGs) and Intermediate Points (MIPs) at different levels. The test suite verifies OAM functionality in combination with the other protocols features such as MSTP and LACP.

Net-O₂ ATTEST-CTS Carrier Ethernet Test Suites verify Conformance to protocol standards such as MEF 21, CFM - 802.1ag (Connectivity Fault Management), 802.3ah (Link OAM), Y.1731 (Service OAM) and Provider Bridges (PB). Tests for several other Layer 2 bridging protocols such as RSTP, VLAN, LACP etc. are also available.