System and method for extending connectivity tests through a packet network

A communication system for extending Ethernet Operation and Management (OAM) Loopback Message (LBM) and Loopback Replay (LBR) functionality into a time division multiplexing (TDM) domain, comprising:

• a first interworking function (IWF) of an Ethernet network configured to transmit an Ethernet OAM LBM having a first type length value (TLV) field comprising a data string, the first IWF configured to control the first TLV field to indicate that a connectivity test is to extend beyond the Ethernet network;
• and
• a second IWF of the Ethernet network configured to receive the Ethernet OAM LBM and to interpret the first TLV field, the second IWF configured to perform a TDM connectivity test across a TDM connection in response to the Ethernet OAM LBM and based on the first TLV field, the second IWF further configured to transmit a reply for the Ethernet OAM LBM to the first IWF, the reply prompted by the LBM and comprising data based on the TDM connectivity test, wherein the reply comprises an Ethernet OAM loopback reply (LBR) message having a second TLV field indicative of the TDM loopback test, wherein the second IWF is configured to transmit the data string to a TDM node via the TDM connection, and wherein the second IWF is configured to insert into the LBR message a retransmission of the data string by the TDM node.

A communication system for extending Ethernet Operation and Management (OAM) Loopback Message (LBM) and Loopback Replay (LBR) functionality into a time division multiplexing (TDM) domain:

• a TDM node;
• and
• an interworking function (IWF) on an edge of an Ethernet network coupled to the TDM node across a TDM connection, the IWF configured to receive from a node of the Ethernet network an Ethernet OAM LBM having a first type length value (TLV) field indicating that a TDM connectivity test is to be performed on the TDM node, the IWF configured to make a determination whether to perform the TDM connectivity test based on the TLV field and to perform the TDM connectivity test on the TDM node in response to the determination, the IWF further configured to generate a reply in response to the LBM and comprising data indicative of the TDM connectivity test.