A new network hardware testing standard will encourage
enterprises, service providers and telcos to adopt cheaper and more
flexible Ethernet technology for data, voice and video
connectivity.
The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), an industry body supported by
switch suppliers, telcos and services companies, has introduced a
testing procedure to make it easier to integrate Ethernet switches
and routers into carrier and enterprise networks.
Ethernet is an alternative to more expensive and less flexible
ATM, Frame Relay and SDH-based network hardware commonly found in
carrier and enterprise wide area networks.
Analyst Infonetics Research says worldwide metro Ethernet
equipment revenue was worth $3.8bn (£2.23bn) in 2004, and estimates
this figure will double to $7.6bn by 2008.
Enterprise users are already familiar with Ethernet in their
local area networks, and the MEF initiative is set to make it
easier for firms to integrate their LANs with the wider networks of
their service providers.
This enables easier delivery of services such as video
conferencing, video streaming and more demanding data applications
such as data back-up and shared network storage.
The MEF 9 testing standard for carrier services sees network
hardware suppliers having to meet certain criteria with their
products to be accredited with “carrier Ethernet” status.
Using the accreditation scheme, enterprises wanting to use
hardware from more than one supplier will find it easier to mix and
match suppliers if they know that certain hardware complies with
the same standard.
The standard will also allow carriers to concentrate their
resources on making Ethernet-based services work properly, rather
than worrying about basic network interoperability issues.
The MEF has announced that 16 companies now sell hardware that
meets the carrier Ethernet standard, after the products came
through MEF-sponsored tests. Those on the list include Alcatel,
Cisco, Extreme Networks, Fujitsu, Lucent, Nortel, Riverstone,
Siemens and Tellabs.
Deutsche Telecom’s enterprise customer division T-Systems
supports the new standard. A spokesman said, “As a carrier,
multi-vendor interoperability is an important prerequisite for us
to implement carrier-grade Ethernet networks.”
T-Mobile already uses a metro Ethernet solution to link
enterprise customers together and provide data connectivity in
Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Nuremberg and the Rhine/Ruhr region.