Nevertheless, the operational and
scalability limitations here are well-documented, and this has led to a renewed focus
on improving fiber-Ethernet integration.
Over the past decade, there have been many crucial developments in fiber-based
Ethernet transmission. Most notably, two key trends have been advances in optical
networking, namely Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) and the standardization
of new ???optical Ethernet??? interfaces. These technologies now permit highly
streamlined native-mode transmission of Ethernet frames across extensive carrier
infrastructures. Specifically, two major approaches have evolved, namely direct
198 Chapter 8
Ethernet over fiber (EoF) and Ethernet over WDM (EoWDM). In light of this broadbased
evolution, the very notion of Ethernet has been transformed from that of an
interface/switching technology into a genuine carrier service offering spanning the
full LAN-MAN-WAN geographic range.
This chapter looks at the delivery of Carrier Ethernet services over fiber-optic
networks. Initially, the main technologies and standards in the area are reviewed.
Subsequently the motivations behind the development of Carrier Ethernet are presented,
and the EoF and EoWDM concepts introduced.
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