RE: [EFM] OAM loop back / echo server function
At 17:29 30/08/01 +0100, Bob Barrett wrote:
>Remote loop back of Ethernet packets / 802.3 frames is a really bad idea.
>No mater how well intentioned it will go wrong sometimes and when it does
>it is really bad news.
I also was late on this discussion, but I have the same opinion. In
general, thinking as a service provider perspective, each and every user
should have a logically protected circuit to the
headend/olt/switch/whatever. Any chance of having packets exchanged
directly between the users opens a wide door for exploits (or even
unintentional) problems. In this sense, I believe that EFM should allow only:
- direct broadcast on the downstream, limited by VLAN, where the service
provider can control what packets get broadcasted;
- direct point-to-point communication upstream between the ONU and the OLT.
For some specific applications, bridging may be a simple solution for the
direct communication between the endpoints. As an access solution for
residential users, it is a bad idea.
Carlos Ribeiro
CTBC Telecom