Control mechanisms and management methods necessary to enable creation and operation of virtual links in Ethernet-based subscriber access networks are described. The key characteristics of the Virtual Link Control (VLC) mechanisms are: - The ability to transit Layer 2 bridges in a single IEEE 802 Media Access Control (MAC) domain to allow remote device management - Extensibility to accommodate new protocols and new types of devices - The ability to simultaneously send messages to multiple VLC-aware stations using broadcast or multicast addressing The message format, as well as processing operations at the stations participating in the VLC protocol, are described.

This standard describes control mechanisms and management methods necessary to enable creation and operation of virtual links in Ethernet-based subscriber access networks. The key characteristics of the Virtual Link Control (VLC) mechanisms are: - The ability to transit Layer 2 bridges in a single IEEE 802 Media Access Control (MAC) domain to allow remote device management; - Extensibility to accommodate new protocols and new types of devices; -The ability to simultaneously send messages to multiple VLC-aware stations using broadcast or multicast addressing. The standard describes the message format, as well as processing operations at the stations participating in the VLC protocol.