The MEF represents
the first comprehensive effort to address all service delivery aspects as well as the
testing necessary for confirmation. Figure 2.3 depicts the different MEF standards and
their respective focus as of August 2007; these are continually being augmented as the
MEF tackles new issues in its attempt to accelerate the deployment of Carrier Ethernet.
While the MEF has a broader mandate than the other bodies (at least as far as Carrier
Ethernet is concerned), it extensively builds and reuses the efforts of these bodies.
Figure 2.4 summarizes the different standards bodies??™ respective focus across four
distinct areas with respect to Carrier Ethernet: Architecture, Services, Management,
and Testing. The specific standards are identified in each of these areas; standards
underway but not yet ratified are italicized.
It is clear that only the MEF is focused across the board in all four areas and is notably
the only standards body testing and validating Carrier Ethernet. The IEEE 802
addresses some architectural aspects (in fact, it did so even pre-Carrier Ethernet) but
has also added several new efforts. A key contribution has been in the area of Carrier
Ethernet Management, especially link level and connectivity management.
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