Terms and Definitions

Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) Terms and Definitions lists terms and definitions used in this CFM configuration discussion.

Click to expand in new window

Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) Terms and Definitions

Term Definition
CFM Linktrace Protocol A diagnostic protocol used to verify the path between the initiating device and a target device, and to help determine where in the path a problem might exist.
CFM Loopback Protocol A diagnostic protocol used to determine connectivity between the initiating device and the target device.
CFM monitored service The network entity monitored by CFM (currently a single VLAN per MA).
Connectivity Check Messages (CCM) A CCM is a unidirectional multicast message, confined to a single operator domain that provides a means to detect connectivity failures in an MA. These messages are unidirectional and do not solicit a response. Each MEP transmits a periodic multicast CCM inward towards the other MEPs belonging to the operator.
Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) Provides network operators the means to monitor and troubleshoot services that may span multiple domain Ethernet networks based upon IEEE 802.1Q-2011.
ID Permission Specifies whether chassis or remote management information or both are sent in the SenderID TLV.
Maintenance Association (MA) A logical container for a specific CFM monitored service.
Maintenance Domain (MD) A logical container for all the equipment associated with the CFM monitored service and owned by a single network operator.
Maintenance End-Point (MEP) A port, belonging to an MA, through which data enters and exits the portion of the network monitored by the CFM service.
Maintenance Intermediate-Point (MIP) An auto-created MP on a port that resides along the path between MEPs, supplements the MEP functionality by passively snooping the CCMs that pass through it, and is able to respond to a loopback or linktrace message.
Maintenance Point (MP) A demarcation point on a port that implements the CFM functions within a MA.
MD level A CFM MD value that determines the reach and scope of the organization controlling the MD, with higher levels able to encapsulate lower levels, allowing CCMs to pass transparently through lower level MDs.
MEP direction Specifies whether a MEP faces the link or the bridge relay thereby controlling the transmission direction of CFM PDUs by the MEP.
MEP list A list containing all the MEPs in an MA.
MHF creation Specifies whether MIPs are created on the ports for the configured device.
VLAN table The association of one or more CFM services with a primary CFM service.