Abstract: An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch is configured to automatically generate Operations, Administration and Management (OAM) cells for a loopback test at a first connection whenever the first connection is not receiving user data traffic. The ATM switch may include a switch management module which generates the OAM cells that are transmitted from the first connection whenever a control processor initiates the loopback test.

Abstract: A network that implements a network management protocol. The network comprises a network manager coupled to a plurality of network nodes. Each network node has a network address to which the network manager addresses network management messages for controlling the configuration of the network nodes. The plurality of network nodes include a first network node. The first network node includes a plurality of management agents and a message forwarding circuit coupled to the management agents, wherein the network manager transmits a management message to the network address of the first network node and the message forwarding circuit forwards the management message to a first management agent specified by the management message.