Metro Ethernet From the Inside Out
- By Nicole Oliver
- Published 03/24/2011
- Broadband
- Unrated
The decision to use Metro Ethernet (or Metro E) for your business should be based on more than just the capability of the technology. The technology's application to your core needs is what matters. Your core needs are those services that-without them-your business would suffer.
Most people think only in terms of network speed. Your company's network infrastructure is more important than whether you upgrade from one type (or speed) of line to another (DS3 to OC3 for example). Will it handle your needs and insure continuity of service for essential network requirements?
METRO E CONNECTS
Metro E can be used in a single-office environment for Symmetrical Internet Access, or it can be used in a multiple-office environment for LAN-to-LAN connectivity between two or more offices. In a multi-office environment, Metro Eservice may be used for interoffice voice, video and data traffic. It may be configured for Internet Access, offsite data backup to a nearby data center environment, interoffice data transfer, and it also supports multiple VLAN's, VLAN Stacking, QoS, and L2TP.
LAST-MILE CONCERNS
The last-mile connection from the world's major fiber optic communication lines to your company's Wide Area Network (WAN) is one potential bottleneck in your infrastructure that you should consider. Put simply, the "last mile" is the connection between a telecom carrier's central office (often an interconnection point for multiple carriers) and your offices. Despite the huge volume of bandwidth available at good pricing among carriers between their networks, quality last-mile infrastructure to customer premises remains a challenge.
Metro E is an attractive solution to the last-mile challenge. It can be provided via both
copper and fiber optic lines. Customers receive the same high quality, low latency service whether copper or fiber optic lines are used. The advantages of copper is that it is widely available in the majority of buildings; whereas adding new fiber optic service to your building may require substantial capital investment and long term service contracts. With Metro E via copper there are thousands more "on-net" buildings where service is already available.
METRO E ADVANTAGE
While you can achieve speeds of 10-12 Mbps with bonded T1 lines, you'll actually be paying a premium to get those kinds of speeds, and the ability to add additional capacity is quite limited. The fixed speed of T1 lines is 1.5 Mbps and higher speeds can only be reached by bonding lines together. T3 lines over fiber-optic cable can step speed up to around 45 Mbps.
Metro E is a Layer 2 Ethernet Service. The service is very flexible and allows Symmetrical speeds from 1 Mbps to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet),and up to 1,000Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). In most cases, customers can simply upgrade their service by requesting the provider to "turn up the speed"of their service. Metro E provides customers with a guaranteed rate of speed, unlike other providers who promise a speed "up to __," which, in reality, is seldom available. Many customers use it as a replacement for DS1 services because Metro E is typically lower priced, widely scalable, rich in features, and easily deployed.
METRO E CONSIDERATIONS
If you're in an area where fiber optic lines are not available, don't worry; Metro E service will "juice up" copper lines with fiber-like capacity. Metro Ethernet service will cater to speed-starved business customers at copper-fed locations.
With the additional costs for DS1 and DS3 customer premise equipment, the cost savings and flexibility of Metro E could be just what the doctor ordered.
Most people think only in terms of network speed. Your company's network infrastructure is more important than whether you upgrade from one type (or speed) of line to another (DS3 to OC3 for example). Will it handle your needs and insure continuity of service for essential network requirements?
METRO E CONNECTS
Metro E can be used in a single-office environment for Symmetrical Internet Access, or it can be used in a multiple-office environment for LAN-to-LAN connectivity between two or more offices. In a multi-office environment, Metro Eservice may be used for interoffice voice, video and data traffic. It may be configured for Internet Access, offsite data backup to a nearby data center environment, interoffice data transfer, and it also supports multiple VLAN's, VLAN Stacking, QoS, and L2TP.
LAST-MILE CONCERNS
The last-mile connection from the world's major fiber optic communication lines to your company's Wide Area Network (WAN) is one potential bottleneck in your infrastructure that you should consider. Put simply, the "last mile" is the connection between a telecom carrier's central office (often an interconnection point for multiple carriers) and your offices. Despite the huge volume of bandwidth available at good pricing among carriers between their networks, quality last-mile infrastructure to customer premises remains a challenge.
Metro E is an attractive solution to the last-mile challenge. It can be provided via both
METRO E ADVANTAGE
While you can achieve speeds of 10-12 Mbps with bonded T1 lines, you'll actually be paying a premium to get those kinds of speeds, and the ability to add additional capacity is quite limited. The fixed speed of T1 lines is 1.5 Mbps and higher speeds can only be reached by bonding lines together. T3 lines over fiber-optic cable can step speed up to around 45 Mbps.
Metro E is a Layer 2 Ethernet Service. The service is very flexible and allows Symmetrical speeds from 1 Mbps to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet),and up to 1,000Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). In most cases, customers can simply upgrade their service by requesting the provider to "turn up the speed"of their service. Metro E provides customers with a guaranteed rate of speed, unlike other providers who promise a speed "up to __," which, in reality, is seldom available. Many customers use it as a replacement for DS1 services because Metro E is typically lower priced, widely scalable, rich in features, and easily deployed.
METRO E CONSIDERATIONS
If you're in an area where fiber optic lines are not available, don't worry; Metro E service will "juice up" copper lines with fiber-like capacity. Metro Ethernet service will cater to speed-starved business customers at copper-fed locations.
With the additional costs for DS1 and DS3 customer premise equipment, the cost savings and flexibility of Metro E could be just what the doctor ordered.
Nicole Oliver
Silver Star Telecom has successfully provided Metro Ethernet and Wide Area Network (WAN) service to business clients in the Portland, Oregon metro area and across the Northwest since 2006. Our Metro E and WAN Ethernet Services can be deployed across multiple cities, states and telephone exchanges. Learn more at www.silverstartelecom.com
View all articles by Nicole Oliver