An efficient mechanism for service OAM performance monitoring metric collection for MEF carrier ethernet

The Metro Ethernet Forum, which is setting global carrier Ethernet standards, has recently announced a Carrier Ethernet Generations Framework. The Framework defines three carrier Ethernet generations: carrier Ethernet 1.0, carrier Ethernet 2.0, and Future. The Future generation focuses on achieving the goals of simplified management and automation of carrier Ethernet services (e.g., service configuration, activation, and monitoring). In addition to making the service operational, this includes on-demand and proactive performance monitoring for assessing the quality of the service; traffic management; and compliance with the service level agreement. This article proposes a more efficient and scalable performance measurement metrics collection architecture, using Internet Protocol Detail Record Streaming Protocol for the new generation back office. The goal is to move multiple service operators away from SNMP, with its known limitations, to a more compact and powerful standards-based streaming protocol and XML-based data modeling language. The intended audience for this article includes MSOs deploying a DPoE Network with devices, including DPoE Systems, converged cable access platforms, and DPoE optical network units, that implement service OAM PM and traffic management functionality based on MEF specifications. The audience also includes application and equipment suppliers who are developing back office metrics collection systems and DPoE/MEF equipment.