Metro Ethernet
Encyclopedia
A Metro Ethernet is a computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....

 that covers a metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...

 and that is based on the Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....

 standard. It is commonly used as a metropolitan access network
Access network
An access network is that part of a telecommunications network which connects subscribers to their immediate service provider. It is contrasted with the core network, which connects local providers to each other...

 to connect subscribers and businesses to a larger service network or the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...

. Businesses can also use Metro Ethernet to connect branch offices to their Intranet
Intranet
An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network...

.

Ethernet has been a well known technology for decades. An Ethernet interface is much less expensive than a SONET/SDH or PDH
Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
The Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy is a technology used in telecommunications networks to transport large quantities of data over digital transport equipment such as fibre optic and microwave radio systems...

 interface of the same bandwidth. Ethernet also supports high bandwidths with fine granularity, which is not available with traditional SDH connections. Another distinct advantage of an Ethernet-based access network is that it can be easily connected to the customer network, due to the prevalent use of Ethernet in corporate and, more recently, residential networks. Therefore, bringing Ethernet in to the Metropolitan Area Network
Metropolitan area network
A metropolitan area network is a computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks using a high-capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-optical links, and provides up-link services to wide area networks and the...

 (MAN) introduces a lot of advantages to both the service provider and the customer (corporate and residential).
A typical service provider Metro Ethernet network is a collection of Layer 2 or/and Layer 3
Network Layer
The network layer is layer 3 of the seven-layer OSI model of computer networking.The network layer is responsible for packet forwarding including routing through intermediate routers, whereas the data link layer is responsible for media access control, flow control and error checking.The network...

 switches
Network switch
A network switch or switching hub is a computer networking device that connects network segments.The term commonly refers to a multi-port network bridge that processes and routes data at the data link layer of the OSI model...

 or/and routers connected through optical fiber
Optical fiber
An optical fiber is a flexible, transparent fiber made of a pure glass not much wider than a human hair. It functions as a waveguide, or "light pipe", to transmit light between the two ends of the fiber. The field of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of...

. The topology
Network topology
Network topology is the layout pattern of interconnections of the various elements of a computer or biological network....

 could be a ring
Ring network
A ring network is a network topology in which each node connects to exactly two other nodes, forming a single continuous pathway for signals through each node - a ring...

, hub-and-spoke (star), or full or partial mesh
Mesh networking
Mesh networking is a type of networking where each node must not only capture and disseminate its own data, but also serve as a relay for other nodes, that is, it must collaborate to propagate the data in the network....

. The network will also have a hierarchy: core, distribution (aggregation) and access. The core in most cases is an existing IP
Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...

/MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table. The labels identify virtual links between...

 backbone, but may migrate to newer forms of Ethernet Transport in the form of 10Gbit/s, 40Gbit/s or 100Gbit/s
100 Gigabit Ethernet
40 Gigabit Ethernet, or 40GbE, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet, or 100GbE, are high-speed computer network standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers . They support sending Ethernet frames at 40 and 100 gigabits per second over multiple 10 Gbit/s or 25 Gbit/s lanes...

 speeds.

Ethernet on the MAN can be used as pure Ethernet, Ethernet over SDH
Ethernet over SDH
Ethernet Over SDH or Ethernet over SONET refers to a set of protocols which allow Ethernet traffic to be carried over synchronous digital hierarchy networks in an efficient and flexible way...

, Ethernet over MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table. The labels identify virtual links between...

 or Ethernet over DWDM. Pure Ethernet-based deployments are cheap but less reliable and scalable, and thus are usually limited to small scale or experimental deployments. SDH-based deployments are useful when there is an existing SDH infrastructure already in place, its main shortcoming being the loss of flexibility in bandwidth management due to the rigid hierarchy imposed by the SDH network. MPLS based deployments are costly but highly reliable and scalable, and are typically used by large service providers.

Metro Area Network topology

Familiar network domains are likely to exist regardless of the transport technology chosen to implement Metro Area Networks: Access, Aggregation/Distribution, Metro, and Core.
  • Access devices normally exist at a customer's premises, unit, or wireless base station. This is the network that connects customer equipment, and may include ONT and/or Residential gateway, or office router.
  • Aggregation occurs on a distribution network such as an ODN
    ODN
    ODN can be:* Optical Distribution Network the physical fibre and optical devices that distribute signals to users in a telecommunications network*ODN a Japanese Internet Service Provider...

     segment. Often Passive Optical Network
    Passive optical network
    A passive optical network is a point-to-multipoint, fiber to the premises network architecture in which unpowered optical splitters are used to enable a single optical fiber to serve multiple premises, typically 16-128. A PON consists of an optical line terminal at the service provider's central...

     or Digital Subscriber Line
    Digital Subscriber Line
    Digital subscriber line is a family of technologies that provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop. In telecommunications marketing, the term DSL is widely understood to mean Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ,...

     technologies are employed, but some using point-to-point Ethernet over "home-run" direct fibre. This part of the network includes nodes such as Multi Tenanted Unit switches, Optical line terminals in an outside plant
    Outside plant
    In telecommunication, the term outside plant has the following meanings:*In civilian telecommunications, outside plant refers to all of the physical cabling and supporting infrastructure , and any associated hardware located between a demarcation point in a switching facility and a demarcation...

     or central office cabinet, Ethernet in the First Mile
    Ethernet in the First Mile
    Ethernet in the first mile refers to using one of the Ethernet family of computer network protocols between a telecommunications company and a customer's premise. From the customer's point of view it is their "first" mile, although from the access networks' point of view it is known as the "last...

     equipment, or provider bridges.
  • A Metro Area Network may include transport technologies MPLS, PBB-TE and T-MPLS, each with its own resiliency and management solutions.
  • A Core Network often uses IP-MPLS to connect different Metro networks together.


Much of the functionality of Metro Ethernet such as Virtual Private Line or Virtual Private LAN is implemented by the use of Ethernet VLAN tags that allow differentiation of each part of the network. Logical differentiation of the physical network helps to identify the rights that the traffic has and to ease the management of hosts' access rights with respect to other users and networks.

Pure Ethernet MANs

A pure Ethernet MAN uses only layer 2 switches for all of its internal structure. This allows for a very simple and cheap design, and also for a relatively simple initial configuration. The original Ethernet technology was not well suited for service provider applications; as a shared-media network, it was impossible to keep traffic isolated, which made implementation of private circuits impossible. Ethernet MANs became feasible in the late 90s due to the development of new techniques to allow transparent tunneling of traffic through the use of Virtual LANs as "point to point" or "multipoint to multipoint" circuits. Combined with new features such as VLAN Stacking (also known as VLAN Tunneling), and VLAN Translation, it became possible to isolate the customers' traffic from each other and from the core network internal signaling traffic. However, Ethernet is constantly evolving and has now carrier class features with the recent addition of IEEE 802.1ad (Provider Bridges)(also known as QinQ or stacked VLANs) and IEEE 802.1ah (Provider Backbone Bridges) (also known as MAC in MAC or PBB) and IEEE 802.1Qay (Provider Backbone Transport) (also known as PBT or PBB-TE). Spanning-tree, broadcast packets and dynamic MAC learning are disabled and sub 50ms failover features are introduced.

There are three main shortcomings with a pure non PBT/PBB enabled Ethernet MAN approach:
  • By design, layer 2 switches use fixed tables to direct traffic based on the MAC address of the endpoints. As the network gets larger, the number of MAC address transiting through the network may grow beyond the capacity of the core switches. If the core table gets full, the result is a catastrophic loss of performance due to the flooding of packets over the entire network structure. This can be overcome to some degree by smart network design and keeping your network segments and rings small enough to support the MAC table limitations of the equipment. In a pure ethernet network, the network should be designed in a modular grouping where your less expensive, smaller MAC table devices are in small geographically significant segments connected by larger aggregation devices which are interconnected that support two tag manipulation and very large MAC tables. This design keeps locally geographically significant segments interconnected with less expensive equipment, and larger geographically connected areas interconnected with more expensive, more feature laden equipment. This keeps the MAC tables small and helps keep the pure ethernet network scalable.
  • Network stability is relatively fragile, especially if compared to the more advanced SDH and MPLS approaches. The recovery time for the standard spanning tree protocol
    Spanning tree protocol
    The Spanning Tree Protocol is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation...

     is in the range of tens of seconds, much higher than what can be obtained in the alternative networks (usually a fraction of second). There are a number of optimizations, some standardized through the IEEE, and others vendor-specific, that seek to alleviate this problem. The clever use of such features allow the network to achieve good stability and resilience, at the cost of a more complex configuration and possible use of non-standard, vendor-specific, mechanisms. Some vendor's implementations of RSTP achieve sub 50ms convergence in typical sized rings. RSTP also provides for easy deployment of complex designs such as multi-ring, figure eight, etc. If designed appropriately, in many networks the fragility in this network design can be overcome without the additional expense of MPLS.
  • Traffic engineering is very limited. There are few tools to manage the topology of the network; also, the fact that forwarding is done hop-by-hop, added to the possibility of broadcasts even for unicast packets (for instance, while learning new addresses), makes predicting the real traffic pattern very difficult for a networking novice. Custom tools, such as topology maps that outline where blocking ports occur in the network during normal and backup conditions may need to be built to fully understand and troubleshoot the network quickly.


Despite these shortcomings, non PBT/PBB enabled Ethernet-based MANs are used for two primary purposes:
  • For small scale deployments (under a few hundred customers), a pure Ethernet MAN can be highly cost-effective. It also has the advantage of not requiring advanced knowledge of IP and related protocols, such as BGP and MPLS, which are necessary for an MPLS-based deployment. Even for larger scale deployments for thousands and thousands of customers can be achieved if careful network design rules are followed. In order to do this effectively skilled networking professionals need to be utilized.
  • In large scale Metro Ethernets, it is common for the access part of the network to use a pure layer 2 design. At this level, the pure layer 2 design is deemed to be cheaper while still operating under its design limitations. From the distribution layer and above, traffic is aggregated and routed using an MPLS-based Metro Ethernet design. In very large networks MPLS may be unavoidable, but with careful network design, the use of both PBT and MPLS and their associated cost and complexity can be postponed if not eliminated entirely by careful network planning and design.


Myths regarding Pure Ethernet:

The biggest myth being propagated regarding pure metro-ethernet or carrier ethernet is that there are 4094 VLANs available network wide for a provider network. This is simply not true. There are 4094 VLANs available on each switched path. So the VID(vlan id) cannot be reused along the path from point a to point z, but can be reused anywhere else in the network as long as the paths are separated. Larger pure ethernet aggregation devices allow for traffic classification up to two tags deep. This allows for up to 16.7 million paths on a device of this nature, which should be used to aggregate devices that can only classify traffic based on 4094 VLAN ids. So with proper network design, in most networks VLAN exhaustion is not an issue if the network is designed appropriately. The network should be designed so that devices supporting large MAC tables and traffic classification of two tags are interconnected, and they act as an aggregator for less expensive, smaller mac table, one tag switches in attached rings and segments. Attaching these devices to interconnect larger areas provides for the theoretic possibility of up to 16.7 million unique paths between these devices, limited only by the device processing and memory capabilities. In a properly designed geographically significant modular network, more expensive services such as MPLS and PBT can be postponed or eliminated entirely. VLANs are locally significant only.

Another myth is that RSTP convergence takes many seconds. In certain situations and with some equipment this may be true. However, some vendors are offering devices that will converge RSTP in sub-50ms with little to no planning or effort. Advanced network planning may be required to achieve these speeds in certain situations, but it is possible with certain vendor's RSTP deployment. Problems with spanning tree in many instances arise from poor planning, design, and deployment. Spanning tree should be segmented and designed in small domains to be successful. A spanning tree domain is an area in which BPDUs will propagate. While advanced features of MSTP can be utilized, so can building manual spanning tree domains with legacy RSTP by disabling or blocking BPDUs on certain planned segments. In this way you create domains of segments and rings where spanning-tree is enabled, and keep the segments manageable. It is also essential to chose a root bridge and backup root bridge carefully. Path-costs should be modified so that the network administrator knows exactly what will happen to the traffic in the event of a failed segment anywhere in the network.

Another myth is that L2 metro-ethernet connections remove the need for using L3 routers or L3 switches. This is also not true. While equipment will operate just fine over your new metro-ethernet gear on L2 without a router. The whole point is to provide low latency transport. Why send unnecessary broadcast traffic over a metro-ethernet connection that you are probably paying for by Mbps? In most situations routing over your metro-ethernet connection will keep your broadcast traffic down to a bare minimum and help utilize your connection's bandwidth for real traffic, not superfluous packets. This is especially important with more and more nodes on each end of the connection. Routers are not very expensive. If you are paying out hundreds or thousands monthly for a metro-ethernet connection, spend the extra money and get a good router.

SONET/SDH-based Ethernet MANs

A SONET
Synchronous optical networking
Synchronous Optical Networking and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy are standardized multiplexing protocols that transfer multiple digital bit streams over optical fiber using lasers or highly coherent light from light-emitting diodes . At low transmission rates data can also be transferred via an...

/SDH based Ethernet MAN is usually used as an intermediate step in the transition from a traditional, time-division based network, to a modern statistical network (such as Ethernet). In this model, the existing SDH infrastructure is used to transport high-speed Ethernet connections. The main advantage of this approach is the high level of reliability, achieved through the use of the native SDH protection mechanisms, which present a typical recovery time of 50 ms for severe failures. On the other hand, an SDH-based Ethernet MAN is usually more expensive, due to costs associated with the SDH equipment that is necessary for its implementation. Traffic engineering also tends to be very limited. Hybrid designs use conventional Ethernet switches at the edge of the core SDH ring to alleviate some of these issues, allowing for more control over the traffic pattern and also for a slight reduction in cost.

MPLS-based Ethernet MANs

An MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching
Multiprotocol Label Switching is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table. The labels identify virtual links between...

 based Metro Ethernet network uses MPLS in the Service Provider's Network. The subscriber will get an Ethernet interface on Copper (ex:-100BASE-TX) or fiber (ex:-100BASE-FX). The customer's Ethernet packet is transported over MPLS and the service provider network uses Ethernet again as the underlying technology to transport MPLS. So, it is Ethernet over MPLS over Ethernet.

Here, Label Distribution Protocol (LDP
Label Distribution Protocol
Label Distribution Protocol is a protocol in which two Label Edge Routers exchange label mapping information. The two LERs are called LDP peers and the exchange of information is bi-directional....

) signaling is used as site to site signaling for the inner label (VC label) and Resource reSerVation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE
RSVP-TE
Resource Reservation Protocol - Traffic Engineering is an extension of the resource reservation protocol for traffic engineering. It supports the reservation of resources across an IP network. Applications running on IP end systems can use RSVP to indicate to other nodes the nature of the packet...

) or LDP may be used as Network signaling for the outer label.

One of the restoration mechanisms used in an MPLS based Metro Ethernet Networks is Fast ReRoute (FRR) to achieve sub-50ms convergence of MPLS local protection
MPLS local protection
MPLS Fast Reroute is a local restoration network resiliency mechanism. It is actually a feature of RSVP Traffic Engineering . In MPLS local protection each LSP passing through a facility is protected by a backup path which originates at the node immediately upstream to that facility...

. For each deployment situation the benefit versus cost of MPLS must be weighed carefully, so if not implemented on a carrier's distribution network there might be more benefit for MPLS the core network. In some situations the cost may not warrant the benefits, particularly if sub 50ms convergence time is already being achieved with pure Ethernet.

Maturity of Metro Ethernet

A comparison of MPLS-based Metro Ethernet against a pure Ethernet MAN:
  • Scalability: In a properly designed Ethernet VLAN network, each switched path can have 4094 single tag VLANs. Some aggregation and core switches can classify traffic by two VLANs using IEEE 802.1ad VLAN stacking, so with such aggregation devices properly placed in the center of a network, end segments and rings of single tag devices can receive only the traffic that they need. When using MPLS, Ethernet VLANs have local meaning only (like Frame Relay PVC). Same scalability considerations apply to the MAC addresses where in a pure Layer 2 Ethernet MAN all MAC addresses are being shared across the network, although this issue can be managed by smart network design and choosing switches with MAC tables sufficient for the size of network segments.
  • Resiliency: pure Ethernet network resiliency relies on Spanning Tree Protocols STP
    Spanning tree protocol
    The Spanning Tree Protocol is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology for any bridged Ethernet local area network. The basic function of STP is to prevent bridge loops and ensuing broadcast radiation...

    , IEEE 802.1w RSTP or IEEE 802.1s MSTP (30 to sub 50ms sec convergence depending on network design) while MPLS-based MANs use mechanisms such as MPLS Fast Reroute to achieve SDH-like (50 msecs) convergence times. Metro Ethernet can also utilise Link aggregation
    Link aggregation
    Link aggregation or trunking or link bundling or Ethernet/network/NIC bonding or NIC teaming are computer networking umbrella terms to describe various methods of combining multiple network connections in parallel to increase throughput beyond what a single connection could sustain, and to provide...

     or Resilient Packet Ring
    Resilient Packet Ring
    Resilient Packet Ring , also known as IEEE 802.17, is a standard designed for the optimized transport of data traffic over optical fiber ring networks...

     where appropriate to add link redundancy and recovery in distribution networks. Some Ethernet vendors' RSTP convergence is also sub-50ms, but this convergence time may vary from vendor to vendor. Ethernet protection switching is also standardised in (ITU G.8031).
  • Multiprotocol convergence: with the maturity on pseudowires standards (ATM Virtual Leased Line
    Virtual Leased Line
    Virtual Leased Line is a way to provide Ethernet-based point to point communication over IP/MPLS networks.The term Virtual Leased Line is also used to describe a point to point bonded connection using the Broadband Bonding technology...

     VLL, FR VLL, etc.) an MPLS-based Metro Ethernet can backhaul IP/Ethernet traffic together with virtually any type of traffic coming from customer or other access networks (i.e. ATM aggregation for UMTS or TDM aggregation for GSM), while this could be more challenging in a pure Ethernet scenario.
  • End to End OAM: MPLS-based MAN offers a wide set of troubleshooting and OAM MPLS-based tools which enrich Service Providers ability to effectively troubleshoot and diagnose network problems. These include for example, MAC ping, MAC traceroute, LSP ping etc. However there are now Ethernet OAM tools defined in IEEE 802.1ab]], IEEE 802.1ag and Ethernet in the First Mile
    Ethernet in the First Mile
    Ethernet in the first mile refers to using one of the Ethernet family of computer network protocols between a telecommunications company and a customer's premise. From the customer's point of view it is their "first" mile, although from the access networks' point of view it is known as the "last...

     (IEEE 802.3
    IEEE 802.3
    IEEE 802.3 is a working group and a collection of IEEE standards produced by the working group defining the physical layer and data link layer's media access control of wired Ethernet. This is generally a local area network technology with some wide area network applications...

    ah) for monitoring and troubleshooting Ethernet networks. EOAM (Ethernet Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) is a protocol for installing, monitoring, and troubleshooting MANs
    Metropolitan area network
    A metropolitan area network is a computer network that usually spans a city or a large campus. A MAN usually interconnects a number of local area networks using a high-capacity backbone technology, such as fiber-optical links, and provides up-link services to wide area networks and the...

     and WANs
    Wide area network
    A wide area network is a telecommunication network that covers a broad area . Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations...

    .


The Metro Ethernet Forum
Metro Ethernet Forum
The Metro Ethernet Forum , founded in 2001, is a nonprofit international industry consortium, dedicated to worldwide adoption of Carrier Ethernet networks and services....

 (MEF) has defined three types of services that can be delivered through Metro Ethernet:
  • E-Line or Ethernet Virtual Private Line
    Ethernet Virtual Private Line
    Ethernet Virtual Private Line is a data service defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum, providing a point-to-point Ethernet connection between a pair of User–network interfaces ....

     (EPVL), a Point-to-Point Ethernet Virtual Connection — equivalent of Virtual Private Wire Service (VPWS), Virtual Leased Line
    Virtual Leased Line
    Virtual Leased Line is a way to provide Ethernet-based point to point communication over IP/MPLS networks.The term Virtual Leased Line is also used to describe a point to point bonded connection using the Broadband Bonding technology...

     (VLL).
  • E-LAN or Ethernet Virtual Private LAN
    Ethernet Virtual Private LAN
    E-LAN or Ethernet Virtual Private LAN is a MultiPoint-to-MultiPoint Ethernet Virtual Connection defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum — a Carrier Ethernet equivalent of Virtual Private LAN Service or Transparent LAN Services....

     (EVP-LAN), a MultiPoint-to-MultiPoint Ethernet Virtual Connection — equivalent of Virtual Private LAN Service
    Virtual Private LAN Service
    Virtual Private LAN Service is a way to provide Ethernet based multipoint to multipoint communication over IP/MPLS networks. It allows geographically dispersed sites to share an Ethernet broadcast domain by connecting sites through pseudo-wires. The technologies that can be used as pseudo-wire can...

    s (VPLS), Transparent LAN Services.
  • E-TREE or Ethernet Virtual Private Tree
    Ethernet Virtual Private Tree
    E-Tree or Ethernet Virtual Private Tree is a Point-to-MultiPoint Ethernet Virtual Connection defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum — an Ethernet VLAN configuration suitable for multicast services....

     (EVPT), a Rooted-MultiPoint Ethernet Virtual Connection for multicast
    Multicast
    In computer networking, multicast is the delivery of a message or information to a group of destination computers simultaneously in a single transmission from the source creating copies automatically in other network elements, such as routers, only when the topology of the network requires...

     domains.


Additionally, various access services can be provided with Metro Ethernet including; High Speed Internet access and IP/VPN access.

There are lot of vendors supplying equipment for Metro Ethernet deployments. They include ADTRAN
Adtran
ADTRAN, Inc. is a provider of telecommunications networking equipment and internetworking products.Its headquarters are in Huntsville, Alabama.The company is ISO 9001 and TL9000 certified.ADTRAN was a NASDAQ-100 Index stock from 1996 to 1998....

, ADVA Optical Networking
ADVA Optical Networking
ADVA Optical Networking is a telecommunications vendor that provides network equipment for data, storage, voice and video services. ADVA Optical Networking has a global workforce of over 1,000 employees and its Fiber Service Platform has been deployed in more than 250 carriers and 10,000...

, Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent is a global telecommunications corporation, headquartered in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It provides telecommunications solutions to service providers, enterprises, and governments around the world, enabling these customers to deliver voice, data, and video services...

, C-COR
C-COR
C-COR is a communication services company incorporated in 1953 and based in State College, Pennsylvania. The corporation is best known for creating video transport systems. In 1965, C-COR introduced the use of integrated circuits in amplifiers used on utility poles and in 1969 was the first to use...

, Fujitsu Network Communications (FNC), Ciena, Cisco
Cisco
Cisco may refer to:Companies:*Cisco Systems, a computer networking company* Certis CISCO, corporatised entity of the former Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation in Singapore...

, Creanord, cyaninc.com, DATACOM, Dahili Network, Ericsson
Ericsson
Ericsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...

, Extreme Networks
Extreme Networks
Extreme Networks, founded in 1996, is a publicly listed company that designs, builds, and installs Ethernet network solutions for enterprise and Carrier Class networks.-Corporate History:Extreme Networks is located in Santa Clara, California...

, Foundry Networks
Foundry Networks
Foundry Networks, Inc. was a networking hardware vendor selling high-end Ethernet switches and routers. The company was founded in 1996 by Bobby R. Johnson, Jr. and was headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA...

, Hatteras Networks
Hatteras Networks
Overture Networks is a multi-national corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets networking and telecommunications equipment. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park , North Carolina, the company also maintains a technology center in Richardson, Texas, as well as offices in Norton Lindsey,...

, Huawei
Huawei
Huawei is a Chinese multinational networking and telecommunications equipment and services company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China...

, IPITEK, Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is an information technology and computer networking products multinational company, founded in 1996. It is head quartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA. The company designs and sells high-performance Internet Protocol network products and services...

, MAIPU, MRV
MRV Communications
MRV Communications is a communications equipment and services company based in Chatsworth, California. The company, through its business units, is a global provider of optical communications network infrastructure equipment and services to a broad range of telecom concerns, including multinational...

, Nortel Networks, RAD Data Communications
RAD Data Communications
RAD Data Communications is a privately held corporation, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, that designs and manufacturers specialized networking equipment.RAD Data Communications is a member of the RAD Group of companies.-History:...

, Redback Networks an Ericsson Company, Tejas Networks
Tejas Networks
Tejas Networks is an Indian Networking and Telecom equipment products company from Bangalore-Corporate history:Tejas Networks was co-founded in May 2000 by Gururaj Deshpande and US-based ASG-Omni. Headquartered in Bangalore, it has R& D offices in Bangalore, Mumbai and Noida...

, Tellabs
Tellabs
Tellabs, Inc. is a telecommunications company that designs and manufactures equipment for service providers.Ranked among the BusinessWeek InfoTech 100, Tellabs is part of the NASDAQ-100 Index, NASDAQ Global Select Market, Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index and the S&P 500...

, ZTE
ZTE
ZTE Corporation formerly Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment Corporation is a Chinese multinational telecommunications equipment and systems company headquartered in Shenzhen, China...

 and many more.

In June 2002, HKBN built the largest Metro Ethernet IP network in the world, covering 1.62 million homes in Hong Kong. and it will continue to expand towards the 2.0 million target by 2010.

In late September 2007 Verizon Business announced that it is implementing a Metro Ethernet solution across Asia-Pacific including Australia, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong using Nortel equipment.http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1898868494;fp;16;fpid;1

Africa's largest and most developed privately owned MPLS Based Metro Ethernet Network is in Kenya. Reaching more than 5000 corporate entities, Kenya Data Networks
Kenya Data Networks
Kenya Data Networks , is a “Full Service, Data Communications Carrier” that was licensed by the CCK in January 2003 as a “Public Data Network Operator” with a mission to build world-class infrastructure in Kenya...

 is providing High End Services using Alcatel Core and Siemens Access equipment. KDN is now moving into FTTH projects and intends to cover more than 100 000 buildings in East Africa within the next 3 years.

Further reading


External links

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