Thread Links Date Links
Thread Prev Thread Next Thread Index Date Prev Date Next Date Index

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