Network deployment use case

The data-link layer OAM is targeted at last-mile applications, and service providers can use it for demarcation point OAM services.

Ethernet last-mile applications require robust infrastructure that is both passive and active. 802.3ah OAM aims to solve validation and testing problems in such an infrastructure.

Using the Ethernet demarcation, service providers can additionally manage the remote device without utilizing an IP layer. This can be done by using link-layer SNMP counters, request and reply, loopback testing, and other techniques.