Patent ID: 7515542

Claim:
A method of operation for a broadband access node of an Ethernet network, the method comprising: receiving a loopback message (LBM) transmitted by a maintenance endpoint (MEP) of a Broadband Network Gateway (BBNG) device on the Ethernet network in compliance with the IEEE 802.1ag specification; translating the LBM into a link-level operations and maintenance (OAM) loopback message appropriate for checking link-level connectivity status of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) link between the broadband access node and a residential gateway (RG) device, the OAM loopback message being non-compliant with the IEEE 802.1ag specification; determining the link-level connectivity status of the DSL link by: (a) sending the OAM loopback message to the RG device across the physical link; (b) receiving the OAM loopback message back at the broadband access node to confirm link-level connectivity between the RG and the broadband access node; or (c) failing to receive the OAM loopback message back at the broadband access node as a result of a connectivity fault; generating a loopback reply (LBR) message indicative of the link-level connectivity status of the DSL link between the RG and the broadband access node, the LBR message being in compliance with the IEEE 802.1ag specification; and transmitting the LBR message to the BBNG.