) over the same port, possibly with some
sort of Service-Level Agreements (SLAs).
From a Service Provider??™s standpoint, these Ethernet services can be delivered over
a host of transport infrastructures (much like the delivery of TDM or Frame Relay
services) and technologies, including a native Ethernet transport as well. (Delivering
Ethernet natively is the most optimal approach and does not entail any expensive
41 Broadband usually refers to bandwidth exceeding 64 Kbs.
42 LAN Ethernet, as will be discussed later in the chapter, will have to be augmented to serve beyond the LAN.
Ethernet: From LAN to the WAN 29
protocol conversion.) The exact approach is, of course, likely to be decided based on several
considerations such as the incumbent infrastructure technology being employed by
the Service Provider, its strategy, the services offered, investment available, and so on.
Thus, from an end-user standpoint, the basic handoff of data is Ethernet, but how
this is accomplished (behind the scenes) by the Service Provider is usually of less concern.
We delve into the benefits of employing Ethernet as a service next.
Enterprises End Customer Benefits
End customers, already proficient with Ethernet, also find it as appealing as a service
for three major reasons: simplicity, flexibility, and ultimately, economics.
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