A domain configuration system and method operable in an Ethernet OAM
network having multiple levels of OAM domains. A port of a first end
bridge of the network is configured as a first MEP node belonging to a
predetermined OAM domain having a particular level. GARP or CC frames are
transmitted from the first MEP node in a forward attribute registration
process towards the remaining bridges of the network. A port of a second
end bridge of the network is configured as a second MEP node of the
predetermined OAM domain. In a backward attribute registration process,
GARP or CC frames are transmitted from the second MEP node towards the
remaining bridges of the network. Responsive to the frame flow, ports in
bridges disposed between the first and second end bridges are
automatically configured as MIP nodes having the particular level.