With Ethernet now becoming prevalent in metropolitan area networks, the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is setting its sights on promoting Ethernet services across the WAN. As part of this effort, the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is launching a Certification Program. The program will initially allow MEF member companies to certify that their products meet the international Carrier Ethernet service standards detailed in MEF specifications. Certification will later become available to non-MEF members from a growing number of laboratories worldwide and will embrace services as well as equipment.
The developmental phase of the Certification Program will be led by Iometrix and open to MEF members whose equipment meets MEF requirements for E-Line (point to point) and E-LAN (multipoint) services. The results for those companies that submit their equipment for testing by June 9, 2005, will be announced at the Carrier Ethernet World Congress in Berlin, Germany, September 2005.
According to the latest Infonetics study, the Carrier Ethernet market should exceed $2.7 billion in equipment revenues alone by 2008. In addition, IDC predicts Ethernet based service revenues will exceed $19 billion by 2007.
"I see Ethernet developing in four directions: UP, DOWN, OVER and ACROSS. UP in speed - whether we jump to 40Gbps or 100Gbps is more to do with the decision balance between telephone and computer companies than any limit to the technology. Telephone generations are traditionally four times faster while computer generations go up in tens. Ethernet is moving DOWN to the 8 billion processors shipped each year that are not yet networked. It's increasingly moving OVER wireless links - WiFi, WiMax, ZigBee and others - which is ironic as it was derived from the 1970 Alohanet packet radio network. And now it's moving even further ACROSS the telechasm between LANs and WANs with the development of Carrier Ethernet. It marks the end of outmoded SONET and T-1 technologies as businesses will be able to buy cheaper bandwidth at higher speeds - with the advantage of a 'granular' pricing structure that allows selection of just the bandwidth needed while paying for no more than what you really require," said Bob Metcalfe, who is credited with inventing Ethernet and now serves as Advisory Director to the MEF.
| Now is a Great Time for Metro Ethernet! With continued and growing industry support, the technology has clearly moved beyond its origins in local area networks to become a compelling, robust solution for meeting the service delivery and cost reduction requirements of today's leading carriers and service providers. |
