This Recommendation defines an out-of-service test methodology to assess the proper configuration and performance of an Ethernet service prior to customer notification and delivery. The test methodology applies to point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connectivity (using a pair-wise configuration) in the Ethernet layer@ and to the network portions that provide or contribute to the provisioning of such services. This Recommendation does not define Ethernet network architectures or services@ but defines a methodology to test Ethernet-based services at the service activation stage. In particular@ it addresses testing outside of the scope of [b-IETF RFC 2544] methods@ as listed in the introduction above. This Recommendation assumes dedicated test equipment in the test methodology. It is understood that this test methodology may be implemented as a test function inside of a network element.