The IEEE, of course, has focused on the 802
Ethernet standards at the physical and data-link layer. It is continuing its legacy work
on Ethernet and extending it in two areas from the standpoint of Ethernet in the MAN
and WAN: OAM and Architecture. The ITU is working across the spectrum, from service
definition to service architecture to OAM and Ethernet interfaces.
These bodies were involved with LAN Ethernet and are now also focused on Carrier
Ethernet given its role as a converged platform appealing to both Service Providers
and end-user enterprises and spanning their traditional Service Provider and IT constituencies.
The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), unlike the others, was formed relatively recently
(2001) and exclusively to advance the deployment of Carrier Ethernet.
Consequently, it has been the most active body focused on enabling Carrier Ethernet
as a well-defined service to support the next-generation of applications. And although
the MEF??™s initial focus was the delivery of Carrier Ethernet in the metropolitan area
Carrier Ethernet 55
(hence the ???Metro??? in MEF), it has now extended its charter well beyond and focuses on
end-to-end Carrier Ethernet services spanning the MAN and the WAN.
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