What is Metro-Ethernet?
“It’s a data transport technology that makes sharing information between computers across town as simple as sharing information between computers across the hall. With Metro-Ethernet, users at multiple locations have the sense of all being on the same network.. . . In the event of a fiber cut [in the network], the circular-shaped network is capable of detecting the failure and automatically re-routing traffic in the other direction — preventing a disruption of data services and Internet access. In addition to better reliability . . . increased bandwidth [is cited as] another advantage of Metro-Ethernet.” Metro Ethernet is used to achieve the goals of stopping dropped connections to the main servers on the network and being able to internetwork various buildings. (“Connected With Metro-Ethernet,” Vista Connections, TruVista, Chester, South Carolina, Volume 1, Issue 2, May 2008)
Metro Ethernet Definition
"Metro
Ethernet service provides a flexible, scalable and cost-effective
point-to-point, point-to-multipoint networking solution. It provides
customers secure layer 2 Ethernet connectivity while leaving tremendous
capacity available for expansion. The guaranteed data transfer rate
ranges from 2Mps to 10Gbps. Metro Ethernet connections are provided
with individual service level agreements.” (Standard Form of Agreement, Service Description, Metro Ethernet Fibre, Highway 1 Internet Solutions, Perth, Australia, November 18, 2008, p. 2)
What is Metro Ethernet?
“What is Metro Ethernet? Metro Ethernet refers to metro Ethernet
services or metro Ethernet network or both. . . Ethernet Service is
provided by the Metro Ethernet Network (MEN) provider. Customer
Equipment (CE) attaches to the network at the User-Network Interface
(UNI) using a standard 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1Gbps or 10Gbps Ethernet
interface. The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) has defined two basic service
types . . . Other service types may be defined in the future. Ethernet
Line Service. The Ethernet Line Service (E-Line Service) provides a
point-to-point Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC) between two UNIs. . .
The E-Line Service is used for Ethernet point-to-point connectivity. In
its simplest form, an E-Line Service can provide symmetrical bandwidth
for data sent in either direction with no performance assurances, e.g.,
best effort service between two 10 Mbps UNIs. In more sophisticated
forms, an ELine Service may provide some bandwidth, delay, jitter, and
loss performance assurances between two UNIs with different speeds.
Ethernet LAN Service. The Ethernet LAN Service (E-LAN Service) provides
multipoint connectivity, i.e., it may connect two or more UNIs . . .
Subscriber data sent from one UNI can be received at one or more of the
other UNIs. Each site (UNI) is connected to a multipoint EVC. As new
sites (UNIs) are added, they are connected to the same multipoint EVC
thus simplifying provisioning and service activation.
From a Subscriber
standpoint, an ELAN Service makes the MEN look like a LAN. An E-LAN
Service can be used to create a broad range of services. In its
simplest form, an E-LAN Service can provide a best effort service with
no performance assurances. In more sophisticated forms, an E-LAN
Service may provide services with some bandwidth, delay, jitter, and
loss performance assurance. ("Accelerate Worldwide Adoption of Carrier Class Ethernet Networks and Services," Metro Ethernet Forum, MetroEthernetForum.org, Irvine, California, April 11, 2005, pp. 3-4)
