The IEEE standards board has unanimously ratifed the 802.3ah standard. This announcement came from the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA) during the first EFM interoperability demonstration at recent Supercomm 2004.

The Ethernet in the first mile project had perhaps the largest scope of any IEEE 802 standard ever undertaken. Specifying new interface types for Ethernet over fiber-optic and copper media along with new OAM mechanisms for managing Ethernet subscriber networks required tireless effort from individuals representing more than 100 companies.

The EFMA demo showcased technologies from the four EFM sub-task areas, including:

• Point-to-point copper.

• Point-to-point fiber.

• Point-to-multipoint fiber (EPON).

• Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM).