In this 'Viewpoint' we provide a brief insight into Carrier Ethernet, global standards and the role of the MEF, as well as introducing the suite of Metro Ethernet Switches available from Lanode.
Introduction
The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), as the defining body for Carrier Ethernet, is a global industry alliance comprising more than 220 organisations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organisations. The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services.
The Work of the MEF:
- The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet architectural, service and management technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide. The MEF Technical Committee has developed 40 specifications several of which are on their second and third generations.
- The MEF Certification Committee oversees the certification programs for equipment, services and professionals based on test suites developed by the Technical Committee (equipment and services) and professional tests.
- The Service Operations Committee was formed in April 2013 to streamline & standardise processes for buying, selling, delivering and operating MEF-defined services.
- The Marketing Committee's role is that of raising awareness and educating the industry on the work of the MEF, including the development of business, technical and implementation white papers, use cases, presentations, videos, etc., and to communicate all of the MEF's work via conferences, videos, webinars, etc.
Objectives of the MEF:
- Build consensus and unite service providers, equipment vendors and end customers on Carrier Ethernet service definition, technical specifications and interoperability.
- Whenever appropriate, liaise with other SDOs. The goal is to leverage each others' work so as to avoid duplication and where necessary suggest work to others that is out of scope for the MEF.
- Facilitate implementation of existing and new standards, Ethernet service and management definitions, test procedures and technical specifications of the MEF to allow delivery of Ethernet services and make Carrier Ethernet-based core, metro and access networks truly carrier class.
- Enhance worldwide awareness of the benefits of Ethernet services, enabled applications and Ethernet based networks.
The MEF has defined Carrier Ethernet as a ubiquitous, standardized, carrier-class service and network with five attributes that distinguish it from familiar LAN-based Ethernet. These attributes are:
- Standardised services
- Scalability
- Reliability
- Management and
- Quality of Service (QoS)
Based on those attributes, Carrier Ethernet Services enable implementation of robust and future proof WAN connectivity solutions. Operators and service providers can deploy active Ethernet based network infrastructure to deliver bandwidth-intensive service applications such as triple play service. In the mean time, by enabling E-Line, E-LAN based Carrier Ethernet services, operators and service providers can offer the service type of Ethernet private line (EPL), Ethernet virtual private line (EVPL) …etc to enterprise, SMB, SOHO customers and eventually bring substantial business benefits to those customers as well as generate new revenue income and customer satisfaction for operators themselves.
Key Benefits:
- Scalability as service demand grows: Scalable for the future bandwidth needs, geographic, applications company expansions.
- Fully Ethernet OAM enabled: Enabling Ethernet OAM features (IEEE 802.3ah/802.1ag/ITU-T Y.1731) to rapidly detect and recover network fault and save the OPEX for operators as well as increase customer satisfaction.
- MEF standards compliant solution: MEF 9/14/21 compliant product to guarantee the compatibility with other MEF certified equipment and reduce the risk and cost for Metro Ethernet network deployment of operators.
You can learn more about Lanode's Carrier Ethernet Services here.....
