Carrier Ethernet Services - General Overview

Carrier Ethernet Services - General Overview

The Metro Ethernet Forum (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 the 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. By enabling E-Line, E-LAN based Carrier Ethernet services, operators and service providers can also offer the service type of Ethernet private line (EPL), Ethernet virtual private line (EVPL) …etc to enterprises, SMB and SOHO customers to eventually bring substantial business benefits to their customers as well as to generate additional revenue income while increasing customer satisfaction.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The Service Operations Committee was formed in April 2013 to streamline & standardise processes for buying, selling, delivering and operating MEF-defined services.
4. 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.

Key Benefits:

• Scalability as service demand grows: Scalable for the future bandwidth needs, geographic, applications, company expansions.
• Fully Ethernet OAM enabled: Enables 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 guarantees compatibility with other MEF certified equipment and reduces the risk and cost for Metro Ethernet network deployment of operators.

Sample Applications:

Our extensive range of Carrier Ethernet products includes EDD's & NID's; L2 & L2+ Ethernet Switches; L2 Managed PoE Switches; CPE Switches & Converters; PoE Media Converters; PoE Injectors & SFP's. The overall range is further complemented by AMS Managed Gigabit Switches and an extensive portfolio of Carrier Ethernet Services Delivery products from Transition Networks.