In one embodiment, a new maintenance end-point (MEP) may join a particular network (and initiate its sending of continuity check messages, “CCMs”) by transmitting one or more join announcement messages (JAMs). When the JAMs are received by remote MEPs in the particular network, the new MEP may be added to a configured list of MEPs within the particular network at each remote MEP without an alarm. Also, a current MEP may leave the particular network (and cease its transmission of CCMs) by transmitting one or more leave announcement messages (LAMs), which request removal of the current MEP from the configured list at each of the remote MEPs without alarms. Otherwise, transmission of CCMs (that are not JAMs or LAMs) may result in alarms being generated by the MEPs in the particular network for unexpected MEPs or missing MEPs, accordingly.