This Recommendation specifies the optical network unit (ONU) management and control interface (OMCI) for optical access networks.

The OMCI specification addresses ONU configuration, fault management and performance management for optical access system operation, and for several services including:

• gigabit-capable passive optical network encapsulation method (GEM) adaptation layers;

• Ethernet services, including media access control (MAC) bridged local area networks (LANs);

• circuit emulation service (CES);

• voice services.

This Recommendation defines a protocol necessary to support the capabilities identified for these ONUs. It also allows optional components and future extensions.