IEEE 802.3ah-2004 PDF
Define 802.3 Media Access Control (MAC) parameters and minimal augmentation of the MAC operation, physical layer specifications, and management parameters for the transfer of 802.3 format frames in subscriber access networks at operating speeds within the scope of the current IEEE Std 802.3 and approved new projects.
To expand the application of Ethernet to include subscriber access networks in order to provide a significant increase in performance while minimizing equipment, operation, and maintenance costs.
Amendment Standard – Superseded. This amendment to IEEE Std 802.3-2002 as amended by IEEE Std 802.3ae-2002, IEEE Std 802.3af-2003, IEEE Std 802.3aj-2003, and IEEE Std 802.3ak-2004 combines a minimal set of extensions to the IEEE 802.3 Media Access Control (MAC) and MAC Control sublayers with a family of Physical (PHY) Layers. These Physical Layers include optical fiber and voice grade copper cable Physical Medium Dependent sublayers (PMDs) for point-to-point connections in subscriber access networks. This amendment also introduces the concept of Ethernet Passive Optical Networks (EPONs), in which a point to multi-point (P2MP) network topology is implemented with passive optical splitters, along with optical fiber PMDs that support this topology. In addition, a mechanism for network Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) is included to facilitate network operation and troubleshooting. To support these innovations, options for unidirectional transmission of frames are provided for 100BASE-X, 1000BASE-X, 10GBASE-R, 10GBASE-W, and 10GBASE-X.