the winner of Games of WAN
A Highly standardized, simple, scalable, secure (multi)point to (multi)point connection technology dethroning TDM, Frame Relay and ATM based connectivity services in enterprise WANs.
If leased line is the bitcoin of the connectivity services, carrier ethernet is the ethereum of them and here is why
Easy Implementation
Very easy to implement, no need for complex devices, just an ethernet switch
Various Service Types
EPL, EVPL, EP-LAN, EVP-LAN, EP-Tree, EVP-Tree
Cost Effective
Ability to select the exact bandwidth required
SDN and NFV Ready
Supports next generation software defined network and network function virtualization
Scalable
You can scale your bandwidth however you prefer with no technician required on-site
Standardized
The service is standardized by MEF so irrespective of the overlay carrier, the service is the same
Source: CIENA
“Carrier Ethernet Services can be viewed as the fuel for the digital economy. The key drivers for the growth of Carrier Ethernet Services are: Expanded service coverage, Bandwidth demand, Extraordinary performance/price advantages, Accelerated service rollout, TDM to CE transition”
Metro Ethernet Forum - MEF
What is Carrier Ethernet?
Carrier Ethernet is a standardized, carrier-class network service that extends traditional Ethernet technology for use in wide area networks (WANs). It combines the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Ethernet with the reliability, scalability, and security features required for telecommunications service provider networks. In simpler terms, it's like taking the familiar Ethernet technology used in office networks and enhancing it to work across cities, countries, or even continents with guaranteed performance levels.
Key Features and Benefits
Standardized Service
Carrier Ethernet follows strict industry standards set by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), ensuring consistent quality and interoperability between different service providers. This standardization means businesses can rely on the same level of service regardless of their physical location.
Scalable Bandwidth
Unlike traditional network services with fixed capacity, Carrier Ethernet allows for flexible bandwidth scaling from 1 Mbps to multiple Gbps. This means businesses only pay for what they need and can easily increase capacity as their requirements grow without major infrastructure changes.
Quality of Service (QoS)
Carrier Ethernet provides end-to-end quality of service guarantees with precise Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for critical parameters like latency, jitter, and packet loss. This ensures that time-sensitive applications like voice and video conferencing perform flawlessly.
Reliability and Redundancy
With built-in resiliency features such as automatic failover and redundant paths, Carrier Ethernet offers carrier-grade reliability with 99.999% uptime guarantees. The network can rapidly recover from failures without disrupting business operations.
Service Management
Comprehensive monitoring and management tools provide visibility into network performance and enable proactive troubleshooting. Businesses receive detailed reporting on bandwidth utilization, network health, and SLA compliance.
Carrier Ethernet Services
Carrier Ethernet offers various service types to meet different network connectivity requirements. Each service type is designed to address specific business needs, from simple point-to-point connections to complex multi-location networks.
E-Line (Point-to-Point)
Connects two locations with a dedicated virtual connection, similar to a traditional leased line but with more flexibility. Ideal for connecting headquarters to a data center or linking two major offices with high-bandwidth requirements.
E-LAN (Multipoint-to-Multipoint)
Creates a virtual private LAN spanning multiple locations, allowing each site to communicate directly with all others. Perfect for businesses with multiple branches that need to share resources and collaborate seamlessly.
E-Tree (Rooted Multipoint)
Establishes a hub-and-spoke topology where a central site connects to multiple remote locations, but the remote sites cannot communicate directly with each other. Commonly used for retail networks or broadcast content distribution.
E-Access (Access to External Services)
Provides standardized access to other carrier services or external networks like the internet, cloud providers, or other service provider networks. Simplifies connectivity to third-party services.
Technical Standards
The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is the industry association responsible for defining Carrier Ethernet standards. These standards ensure consistency, interoperability, and quality across service providers worldwide:
- MEF CE 2.0: Defines the core service types (E-Line, E-LAN, E-Tree, E-Access) and establishes performance tiers and testing requirements.
- MEF CE 3.0: Extends the framework to include orchestrated services across multiple provider networks and introduces SD-WAN integration.
- MEF-SOAM: Service Operations, Administration, and Maintenance protocols ensure reliable service delivery and troubleshooting capabilities.
These standards enable service providers to deliver consistent, high-quality Ethernet services regardless of the underlying physical infrastructure, giving businesses confidence in the services they purchase.
Business Applications
Carrier Ethernet serves as the foundation for numerous business-critical applications and services:
- Data Center Connectivity: High-bandwidth, low-latency connections between corporate data centers and cloud environments for data replication, backup, and disaster recovery.
- Unified Communications: Support for voice, video, and collaborative applications with the quality of service needed for real-time communications.
- Branch Office Networking: Reliable connectivity for distributed organizations needing to connect multiple locations within a metropolitan area or across regions.
- Cloud Access: Direct, private connections to cloud service providers that bypass the public internet for enhanced security and performance.
- Healthcare Networks: Secure transmission of medical imagery, patient records, and telemedicine services with guaranteed bandwidth and reliability.
- Financial Services: Ultra-low latency connections for trading platforms and secure transactions between financial institutions.
Carrier Ethernet vs. Traditional Ethernet
| Feature | Traditional Ethernet | Carrier Ethernet |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Limited to local area networks (LANs) | Extended across wide areas (metropolitan, national, global) |
| Service Quality | Best effort delivery without guarantees | Guaranteed service levels with formal SLAs |
| Reliability | Limited fault tolerance and recovery | Carrier-grade redundancy with sub-50ms failover |
| Scalability | Fixed capacity requiring hardware upgrades | Flexible bandwidth on demand without physical changes |
| Management | Limited visibility and troubleshooting tools | Comprehensive monitoring, reporting, and fault isolation |
| Standardization | IEEE 802.3 standards for physical and link layers | MEF standards for end-to-end services with multiple classes |
| Security | Basic MAC-level security | Enhanced security with customer isolation and encryption options |
The Future of Carrier Ethernet
Carrier Ethernet continues to evolve to meet emerging technological demands and business requirements:
- Integration with SD-WAN: Combining Carrier Ethernet's reliability with the flexibility and application awareness of Software-Defined Wide Area Networks.
- Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Transitioning from hardware-based to software-based network services, enabling faster deployment and greater agility.
- 5G Backhaul: Providing the high-capacity, low-latency connections necessary for 5G mobile network infrastructure.
- 400GbE and Beyond: Increasing speeds to support growing bandwidth demands from cloud services, AI applications, and high-definition content.
- Edge Computing Support: Enabling distributed computing architectures by connecting edge data centers with reliable, low-latency networks.
As digital transformation accelerates across industries, Carrier Ethernet will remain a foundational technology for business connectivity, adapting to support emerging applications and evolving network architectures.
Carrier Ethernet vs Traditional Ethernet
While traditional Ethernet was designed for local area networks (LANs), Carrier Ethernet extends these capabilities to wide area networks (WANs) with carrier-grade features required for service provider environments. Understanding the key differences can help IT decision-makers select the right technology for their connectivity needs.
Key Insight: Traditional Ethernet excels in controlled LAN environments, while Carrier Ethernet adapts Ethernet technology for wide-area, multi-tenant service provider networks with enhanced reliability, scalability, and management capabilities.
Core Differences
| Feature | Traditional Ethernet | Carrier Ethernet |
|---|---|---|
| Design Purpose | Designed for local area networks within a single organization | Optimized for service provider networks spanning metropolitan and wide areas |
| Distance | Limited range (typically up to 100m with copper, 10km with fiber) | Extended range (up to 80km without regeneration, thousands of km with) |
| Reliability | Basic redundancy with spanning tree | Carrier-grade 99.999% availability with sub-50ms failover |
| Scalability | Limited by broadcast domains and VLAN constraints | Highly scalable with VPLS, MPLS, and segment routing technologies |
| Service Level Agreements | Not typically offered | Standardized SLAs with performance guarantees |
| Management | Basic SNMP management | Advanced OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) tools |
| QoS Control | Basic prioritization (802.1p) | Comprehensive traffic management with CoS, rate limiting, and bandwidth profiles |
| Standardization | IEEE 802.3 standards | MEF CE 2.0 and 3.0 certification standards |
Technical Advantages for Business
1 Bandwidth Scalability
Carrier Ethernet provides bandwidth that can be easily scaled from 1 Mbps to 100 Gbps, allowing businesses to start small and increase capacity as needed without infrastructure changes. This elasticity translates to cost optimization and future-proof connectivity.
2 Service Level Guarantees
Unlike traditional Ethernet, Carrier Ethernet comes with standardized Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee performance metrics like availability, latency, jitter, and packet loss. This enables businesses to run mission-critical applications with confidence.
3 Advanced Fault Management
Carrier Ethernet implements sophisticated OAM tools that provide proactive monitoring, rapid fault detection, and automated remediation. This results in minimal downtime and faster issue resolution compared to traditional Ethernet networks.
4 Multi-site Connectivity
Carrier Ethernet enables seamless connection of multiple sites with E-Line (point-to-point), E-LAN (multipoint-to-multipoint), and E-Tree (rooted multipoint) services, simplifying network architecture while maintaining LAN-like performance over WAN distances.
5 Traffic Engineering
With sophisticated QoS mechanisms, Carrier Ethernet allows businesses to prioritize critical traffic (like VoIP or video conferencing) over less time-sensitive data, ensuring consistent application performance even during congestion periods.
6 Enhanced Security
Carrier Ethernet provides inherent isolation between customers through service provider infrastructure, with additional encryption options and MAC address authentication that go beyond what's typically available in traditional Ethernet environments.
Business Use Cases
The technical advantages of Carrier Ethernet translate into tangible business benefits across various scenarios:
- Multi-site Enterprise Networks: Organizations with multiple locations can connect their sites with a simple, secure, and high-performance network that behaves like a single LAN. This eliminates the complexity of traditional WAN technologies while providing better performance and lower latency.
- Cloud Connectivity: Carrier Ethernet provides dedicated, high-performance connections to cloud providers with guaranteed bandwidth and low latency, critical for hybrid IT environments. This direct connectivity bypasses the public internet, enhancing security and application performance.
- Storage Replication: Businesses requiring real-time data replication between data centers benefit from Carrier Ethernet's high bandwidth, low latency, and minimal packet loss. This enables effective disaster recovery solutions with near-zero Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs).
- Healthcare Networks: Hospitals and healthcare providers use Carrier Ethernet to transmit bandwidth-intensive medical images, support telemedicine, and ensure reliable access to Electronic Health Records across distributed locations with strict compliance requirements.
- Financial Services: Banks and financial institutions leverage Carrier Ethernet's deterministic performance for time-sensitive transactions, trading applications, and connections between branches, ensuring consistent customer experience and regulatory compliance.
- Media and Content Delivery: Media companies use Carrier Ethernet for transferring large video files, supporting live broadcasts, and connecting production facilities with predictable performance essential for meeting tight production deadlines.
Migration Considerations
When considering a migration from traditional Ethernet to Carrier Ethernet, organizations should evaluate:
- Current and future bandwidth requirements across all locations
- Application performance sensitivity to latency, jitter, and packet loss
- Business impact of network downtime and appropriate SLA requirements
- Total cost of ownership compared to alternative connectivity solutions
- Implementation timeline and potential for phased migration
While traditional Ethernet continues to serve LAN environments effectively, businesses with multi-site operations, cloud-dependent workloads, or mission-critical applications that span beyond the campus environment will typically find Carrier Ethernet offers the optimal balance of performance, reliability, and cost.
Types of Carrier Ethernet Services
Carrier Ethernet services extend the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of traditional Ethernet beyond the local area network (LAN) to create carrier-grade wide area networks (WANs). These services are standardized by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and provide scalable, reliable, and secure connectivity solutions that enable businesses to connect multiple locations with predictable performance, stringent service level agreements (SLAs), and sophisticated quality of service (QoS) mechanisms.
E-Line Services
Point-to-point Ethernet connections that provide dedicated bandwidth between two locations, similar to traditional leased lines but with greater flexibility and scalability.
E-LAN Services
Multipoint-to-multipoint Ethernet connections that create a virtual LAN across multiple locations, allowing any-to-any communication as if all sites were on the same local network.
E-Tree Services
Point-to-multipoint Ethernet connections that enable a hub-and-spoke topology, where the root (hub) site can communicate with all leaf (spoke) sites, but leaf sites cannot communicate directly with each other.
E-Access Services
Provides a standardized access connection from a customer's location to a service provider's network edge, enabling service providers to extend their reach to customer sites beyond their native footprint.
| Service Type | Topology | Bandwidth Options | Key Use Cases | Business Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-Line (EPL/EVPL) | Point-to-point | Dedicated (EPL) or Virtual (EVPL) | Data center connectivity, backup/disaster recovery, voice/video transport | Secure dedicated connection, predictable performance, simplified migration from TDM services |
| E-LAN (EP-LAN/EVP-LAN) | Multipoint-to-multipoint | Dedicated (EP-LAN) or Virtual (EVP-LAN) | Connecting multiple business locations, cloud services integration, workload distribution | Network simplification, reduced infrastructure costs, flexible scaling |
| E-Tree (EP-Tree/EVP-Tree) | Point-to-multipoint | Dedicated (EP-Tree) or Virtual (EVP-Tree) | Content distribution, wholesale services, secure multi-branch connectivity | Centralized security control, efficient distribution, traffic segregation |
| E-Access | Access connection | OVC-based service | Extended service footprint, wholesale carrier services, off-net customer locations | Expanded reach, standardized access interface, interoperability between providers |
E-Line Services: Point-to-Point Connectivity
E-Line services provide dedicated, high-capacity point-to-point Ethernet connections between two locations. These services come in two main types:
Ethernet Private Line (EPL)
EPL delivers a dedicated physical connection with guaranteed bandwidth between two points, offering the highest level of security and performance isolation.
EPL Technical Characteristics
- Dedicated Physical Interface: Exclusive use of the physical port at each endpoint
- Full Transparency: Supports all Ethernet frame formats including preservation of customer VLAN tags
- Fixed Bandwidth: Typically offered with CIR (Committed Information Rate) equal to the port speed
- Service Multiplexing: Not available - one service per UNI (User Network Interface)
- Layer 2 Control Protocol Processing: Tunneling of all customer protocols
Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL)
EVPL uses virtual connections to enable multiple services over a single physical interface, allowing for more cost-effective deployment of multiple point-to-point connections.
EVPL Technical Characteristics
- Shared Physical Interface: Multiple EVCs (Ethernet Virtual Connections) can share the same physical port
- VLAN-Based Separation: Uses VLAN tagging to separate traffic between different services
- Flexible Bandwidth: Ability to define different CIR/EIR (Excess Information Rate) per EVC
- Service Multiplexing: Available - multiple services per UNI
- Class of Service: Multiple CoS options available for traffic prioritization
Best Use Cases for E-Line Services:
- Data Center Interconnection: Secure, high-performance connectivity between primary and backup data centers
- Disaster Recovery Solutions: Reliable connections for real-time data replication and backup
- Voice and Video Transport: Low-latency, jitter-controlled connectivity for unified communications
- High-Security Applications: Financial transactions, healthcare data exchange, and other sensitive information transfers
- Legacy TDM Service Migration: Replacement for traditional T1/E1 and SONET/SDH connections
Advantages of E-Line Services:
- Highest level of security and privacy for point-to-point connections
- Deterministic performance with strict SLAs for availability, latency, jitter, and packet loss
- Simplified network management compared to traditional WAN technologies
- Scalable bandwidth from 1Mbps to 100Gbps with easy upgrades
- Lower cost compared to equivalent TDM-based private lines
Limitations of E-Line Services:
- Limited to two endpoints per service
- May require multiple services to connect multiple locations (for EPL)
- EPL can be more expensive than EVPL due to dedicated physical interfaces
- Requires detailed planning for complex network topologies
E-LAN Services: Multipoint-to-Multipoint Connectivity
E-LAN services create a virtual LAN across multiple locations, enabling any-to-any communication between all connected sites as if they were on the same local network.
Ethernet Private LAN (EP-LAN)
EP-LAN provides a dedicated multipoint service with full transparency for all customer traffic between all sites, using dedicated physical interfaces at each location.
EP-LAN Technical Characteristics
- Dedicated Physical Interface: Exclusive use of physical ports at each location
- Full Transparency: Preserves all customer VLAN tags and Layer 2 control protocols
- All-to-All Connectivity: Every site can communicate directly with every other site
- Scalable Topology: New sites can be added without reconfiguring existing locations
- Service Multiplexing: Not available - one service per UNI
Ethernet Virtual Private LAN (EVP-LAN)
EVP-LAN delivers multipoint-to-multipoint connectivity using virtual connections, allowing multiple services to share the same physical interface at each site.
EVP-LAN Technical Characteristics
- Shared Physical Interface: Multiple EVCs can share the same physical port
- VLAN-Based Separation: Uses VLAN tagging to separate traffic between different services
- Bandwidth Profiles: Independent bandwidth profiles for different sites or applications
- Service Multiplexing: Available - multiple services per UNI
- Multipoint EVCs: Single service instance connects all sites in a mesh topology
Best Use Cases for E-LAN Services:
- Multi-Site Enterprise Networks: Connecting headquarters, branch offices, and remote locations in a unified LAN
- Cloud Service Integration: Connecting multiple enterprise sites to cloud service providers
- Distributed Applications: Supporting applications that require direct communication between multiple sites
- Workload Distribution: Load balancing and failover between distributed servers
- Storage Area Networks: Extending storage networks across multiple data centers
Advantages of E-LAN Services:
- Simplified network architecture with fewer connection points compared to multiple point-to-point links
- Reduced infrastructure costs by eliminating the need for customer-managed routers at each site
- Flexible scaling by adding new sites without reconfiguring existing ones
- Bandwidth efficiency through optimal traffic paths between sites
- Support for broadcast and multicast applications across the entire network
Limitations of E-LAN Services:
- Potential for larger broadcast domains that must be managed carefully
- Requires careful design to manage bandwidth between multiple sites
- Security considerations due to the any-to-any connectivity model
- May be more complex to troubleshoot than point-to-point services
E-Tree Services: Point-to-Multipoint Connectivity
E-Tree services create a hub-and-spoke topology where a central root site can communicate with multiple leaf sites, while preventing direct communication between leaf sites.
Ethernet Private Tree (EP-Tree)
EP-Tree provides a dedicated point-to-multipoint service with full transparency for customer traffic between the root and leaf sites, using dedicated physical interfaces.
EP-Tree Technical Characteristics
- Dedicated Physical Interface: Exclusive use of physical ports at all locations
- Root and Leaf Designations: Specific roles assigned to each site in the network
- Traffic Segregation: Leaf sites cannot communicate directly with each other
- Full Transparency: Preserves customer VLAN tags and control protocols
- Service Multiplexing: Not available - one service per UNI
Ethernet Virtual Private Tree (EVP-Tree)
EVP-Tree delivers point-to-multipoint connectivity using virtual connections, allowing multiple services to share the same physical interface while maintaining traffic isolation between leaf sites.
EVP-Tree Technical Characteristics
- Shared Physical Interface: Multiple EVCs can share the same physical port
- VLAN Mapping: Uses VLAN tagging to separate traffic between services
- Root and Leaf UNIs: Different service attributes based on site role
- Service Multiplexing: Available - multiple services per UNI
- Flexible Bandwidth Profiles: Can allocate different bandwidth for different sites
Best Use Cases for E-Tree Services:
- Content Distribution Networks: Distributing video, software updates, or other content from a central location to multiple endpoints
- Wholesale Services: Service providers offering connectivity to multiple customers from a central hub
- Centrally Managed Networks: Organizations with strict security policies requiring all traffic to pass through a central security infrastructure
- Hub-and-Spoke Enterprise Networks: Businesses with a headquarters and multiple branch offices that primarily communicate with the headquarters
- IPTV and Multicast Services: Broadcasting video content from a central source to multiple receiving locations
Advantages of E-Tree Services:
- Enhanced security through isolation of leaf sites from each other
- Efficient distribution of content from a central location
- Centralized control of network traffic and security policies
- Reduced complexity compared to managing multiple point-to-point connections
- Efficient use of bandwidth for hub-and-spoke communication patterns
Limitations of E-Tree Services:
- No direct communication between leaf sites (requires traffic to transit through the root)
- Potential for bottlenecks at the root site if not properly sized
- Single point of failure at the root if redundancy is not implemented
- May require more complex design for applications requiring peer-to-peer communication
E-Access Services: Service Provider Interconnection
E-Access services provide a standardized way for service providers to extend their reach by connecting to customer locations outside their native footprint through partner networks.
E-Access Technical Characteristics
- Operator Virtual Connection (OVC): The connection between the access provider and the service provider
- External Network-to-Network Interface (ENNI): The demarcation point between service providers
- UNI to ENNI: Connects a customer's location to another service provider's network
- Service Attributes: Defined at both the UNI and the ENNI
- OVC Service Types: Can support different EVC types (point-to-point, multipoint, etc.)
Best Use Cases for E-Access Services:
- Extended Service Provider Footprint: Reaching customer locations outside a provider's network
- Wholesale Carrier Services: Selling wholesale access to retail service providers
- Global Enterprise Networks: Providing consistent services to multinational corporations across regions
- Carrier Interconnection: Standardized interconnection between multiple service providers
- Last-Mile Access: Leveraging local access providers to reach customer premises
Advantages of E-Access Services:
- Expanded service reach beyond a provider's physical infrastructure
- Standardized interfaces for interoperability between service providers
- Consistent service delivery regardless of the underlying access provider
- Reduced capital expenditure by leveraging existing infrastructure
- Faster service deployment to off-net locations
Limitations of E-Access Services:
- Dependency on partner networks for service quality
- Potential for more complex troubleshooting across multiple provider domains
- May have more complex SLA structures
- Possible pricing premiums for off-net locations
Selection Criteria for Carrier Ethernet Services
When selecting the appropriate Carrier Ethernet service for your organization, consider these key factors:
- Network Topology Requirements: Determine whether you need point-to-point, multipoint, or hub-and-spoke connectivity
- Performance Requirements: Assess your bandwidth, latency, jitter, and packet loss requirements
- Security and Traffic Isolation Needs: Evaluate whether you need physical or virtual separation of traffic
- Scalability Considerations: Plan for future growth in sites and bandwidth requirements
- Application Requirements: Identify specific needs for critical applications like voice, video, or data replication
- Budget Constraints: Balance performance requirements with cost considerations
- Geographic Coverage: Ensure the service provider can deliver to all required locations
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