Carrier Ethernet is a ubiquitous service based on standardized equipment and protocols providing seamless connectivity between high speed Ethernet-based LANs and WANs. Carrier Ethernet is characterized by industry-defined attributes for service level agreements, provisioning, system-wide management, and carrier-class OAM. Originally implemented in the core network, Carrier Ethernet is now being extended to the edge and access segment.
Carrier Ethernet deployment is picking up pace as Ethernet becomes a widely-accepted, carrier-grade service suite, however, it depends on service providers’ ability to cost-effectively overcome two key challenges: The diversity of existing access and transport networks, and the need to meet user expectations for SLA accountability.
A connection over a virtual circuit-based network providing service to the end users that is indistinguishable from a real point-to point, fixed-bandwidth circuit. Services based on circuit emulation (Circuit Emulation Services or CES) offer traditional TDM trunking (at n x 64 kbps, fractional T1/E1, T1/E1 or T3/E3) over a range of transport protocols, including ATM, Internet Protocol (IP), MPLS and Ethernet.
E-LAN (Ethernet Local Area Network)
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A Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet service used for multipoint-to-multipoint transparent Ethernet LAN connectivity, allowing any location to speak with any other location in a customer’s Metro Ethernet network (see MEF).
E-Line (Ethernet Line)
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A service providing a point-to-point Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC) between two customer user interfaces or two locations in a Metro Ethernet network (see MEF).
Ethernet
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Most popular local area network (LAN) technology in use today. All stations on the LAN share the total bandwidth, which is at speeds of 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), or 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet).
A key element in Carrier Ethernet transport and services, Ethernet demarcation provides a clear separation between the user and the network, allowing carriers to extend network visibility up to the user premises.
Ethernet signal degradation typically limits Ethernet cable runs to 100 meters (328 feet). To achieve longer distances, an Ethernet extender is required. These devices can be used to drive Ethernet up to 5.5 kilometers over copper and more than 100 kilometers over fiber.
RAD Data Communications has a wide range of Ethernet modems with combined E1/T1 multiplexing capabilities for point-to-point Ethernet extension over any type of infrastructure or media.
Ethernet OAM (Operation, Administration and Maintenance) is a set of functions designed to monitor network operation in order to detect network faults and measure its performance. Carrier-class Ethernet services require automated end-to-end management and monitoring, including OAM capabilities such as connectivity verification, fault detection, performance monitoring, and alarm indication.
Although SDH networks were originally engineered to transport voice traffic, many carriers are using their ubiquitous SDH infrastructure to deploy Ethernet services. Recent developments in Next Generation SDH have made these networks more cost-effective and "user friendly" for Ethernet traffic.
Although SONET networks were originally engineered to transport voice traffic, many carriers are using their ubiquitous SONET infrastructure to deploy Ethernet services. Recent developments in Next Generation SONET have made these networks more cost-effective and "user friendly" for Ethernet traffic.
One of the key attributes of Carrier Ethernet services, by which the service provider offers business users bandwidth, delivery, and performance guarantees for selected traffic, and allocates the necessary network resources accordingly.
Evolved HSPA, also known as MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) HSPA, HSPA Evolution and HSPA+, is an upgrade to the 3GPP’s HSPA standard providing theoretical downlink speeds of up to 42 Mbps. HSPA+ is generally regarded as an interim phase between the 3.5G HSPA technology and 4G LTE (long-term evolution).
A fiber media converter connects standard optical interfaces with electrical interfaces; links single mode fibers with multimode fiber cables; adapts dissimilar data rates; and converts different transmission protocols such as TDM E1/T1 and Ethernet.
Fiber Optics
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A transmission medium consisting of thin glass or plastic filaments. Light beams (generated by an LED or laser) travel through the fiber optic line, carrying large amounts of data over long distances.
Fiber optic multiplexers are devices that combine multiple signals for transport on a common transmission path. RAD’s fiber optic multiplexers enable transmission of E1 or T1 channels, E3 or T3 tributaries and wire-speed Ethernet over a fiber optic link. A fiber optic multiplexer at the other end reverses the process.
Gigabit Ethernet, also known as GbE, refers to a transmission rate of 1 Gigabit per second (1,000 Megabit per second) using Ethernet technology. Various Gigabit Etherent standards address GbE transmission over different fiber and copper media. Initially deployed in the LAN, Gigabit Ethernet is now a standard interface for WAN access to Metro Ethernet networks.
Gigabit Ethernet converters typically link copper cabling (UTP) with fiber optics or multimode fiber with single-mode fiber cables, to enable transport of Gigabit Ethernet traffic over diverse media.
GFP (Generic Framing Procedure)
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Defined by ITU-T G.7041, generic framing procedure allows efficient mapping of variable length, higher-layer client signals, such as Ethernet, over a transport network like SDH/SONET. Recently, GFP has been extended to lower speed PDH networks.
High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is an upgrade to W-CDMA technology that provides theoretical downlink speeds of up to 14 Mbps. HSDPA, also known as 3.5G, is an enhancement to UMTS networks.
IEEE C37.94
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A standard providing plug-and-play transparent communications between different manufacturer’s Teleprotection and multiplexer devices using multimode optical fiber. The standard defines clock recovery, jitter tolerances, physical connection method, and the equipment-failure actions for all communications link failures.
Laser
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A device that transmits an extremely narrow and coherent beam of electromagnetic energy in the visible light spectrum. Used as a light source for fiber-optical transmission (generally more expensive, shorter lived, single mode only, for greater distances than LED).
M13 Multiplexer
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An M13 multiplexer, or M13 mux, integrates 28 T1 tributary channels into a single T3 line using bit-level multiplexing and M13 framing format.
Pseudowire
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Point-to-point connections set up between pairs of Provider Edge routers. Their primary function is to emulate (typically layer 2) native services like ATM, Frame Relay, Ethernet, low-rate TDM, or SONET/SDH over an underlying common packet switched network (MPLS, IP, or L2TPv3) network core. To achieve this, each of these technologies is encapsulated into a common MPLS format. Pseudowires are defined by the IETF PWE3 (Pseudowire Edge to Edge Emulation) WG.
SDH (Synchronous Data Hierarchy)
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The European standard for using optical media as the physical transport for high speed long-haul networks.
SFP
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The Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) is a compact optical transceiver used in telecom and datacom applications. It is a popular industry format supported by most fiber optic component vendors. The primary advantages of this approach are hot pluggability, field replacabilty, and mix and match optical reach and type. Using the SFP platform, RAD has engineered a "System on an SFP" for extension of Ethernet and LAN over E1/T1 and E3/T3 connections.
Single Mode
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Describing an optical wave-guide or fiber that is designed to propagate light of only a single wavelength (typically 5-10 microns in diameter).
SONET (Synchronous Optical Network)
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A North American standard for using optical media as the physical transport for high-speed long-haul networks. SONET basic speeds start at 51.84 Mbps and go up to 2.5 Gbps.
TDMoIP®
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TDM over IP is a standards-based transport technology that extends voice, video or data circuits across packet-switched networks simply, transparently and economically. Acting as a pseudowire, TDMoIP is unique in that it supports the multiple signaling standards, OAM mechanisms and clock recovery features demanded by TDM networks for carrying voice-grade telephony channels. A simple alternative to VoIP, TDMoIP enables using legacy TDM equipment while facilitating a smooth migration to newer IP, Ethernet and MPLS networks. TDMoIP technology was developed and patented by RAD, and is found in RAD’s IPmux, Vmux and Megaplex products.
WDM (Wave Division Multiplexing)
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Optical transmission technique in which two or more wavelengths (each carrying its own information) are combined for transmission over a single optical fiber. At the receiving end, the wavelengths are separated and directed to separate receivers. Increases the capacity of data transmission over fiber optics. Also used to connect two fiber optic devices over a single strand of fiber.
ITU-T standard Y.1731 is an Ethernet OAM (operations, administration and maintenance) standard for testing an Ethernet service and for monitoring its performance.
IEEE standard 1588-2008, previously known as pre-standard 1588v2, is the latest version of Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for frequency and time of day distribution over packet switched networks. It is based on timestamp information exchange in a master-slave hierarchy.
IEEE standard 1588v2, also known as 1588-2008, is the latest version of Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for frequency and time of day distribution over packet switched networks. It is based on timestamp information exchange in a master-slave hierarchy.
IEEE standard 802.1ag, also known as “Connectivity Fault Management (CFM)”, is an Ethernet OAM (operations, administration and maintenance) standard for testing an Ethernet service over any path, whether a single link or end-to-end.
IEEE standard 802.3-2005, also known as 802.3ah clause 57, is an Ethernet OAM (operations, administration and maintenance) standard for testing the status of a single Ethernet link within a network. It is also known as Ethernet Link OAM and EFM (Ethernet in the First Mile) OAM.
