In its 25-year existence, Ethernet has expanded to include built-in security through VLANs, faster speeds through Gigabit and 10 Gigabit standards, and efficient transport with switched media access. But its most significant expansion has been its recent move into service provider networks.
In its newly released white paper, "Optical Ethernet in the Access Network," Communications Industry Researchers (CIR) discusses how Optical Ethernet is impacting the market for first mile connectivity. This white paper examines this development and looks at how Ethernet is being used as an access technology. The research for the white paper was conducted for CIR's upcoming report, Optical Access: Next Generation Technologies and Services in the First Mile, and asserts the following:
* With fiber mileage increasing in the suburbs, office parks are as ripe a market for Optical Ethernet Access as downtown MTUs.
* Optical Ethernet will play a greater role in Fiber-to-the-Business rollouts than in Fiber-to-the-Home.
* The market is overestimating the potential of 10 Gigabit Ethernet due to cheap Gigabit Ethernet/WDM alternatives. Additionally, long reach optics and low production volume ASICs will keep initial 10GigE prices high.
* VLANs and TDM circuit emulation are key selling points with service providers. VLANs complement MPLS paths used in core networks, and TDM circuit emulation is needed for Voice Over Ethernet applications.
* Traditional carriers are gaining interest in Ethernet services.
Ethernet systems vendors are already differentiating themselves based on topology, Layer 3 features, and SONET integration. Although vendors commonly refer to themselves as carrier-class, service providers are willing to purchase switches from vendors who have traditionally sold to enterprises.
About Communications Industry Researchers:
Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Communications Industry Researchers, Inc. publishes market studies and carries out custom market research assignments on the commercial aspects of new communications technologies. CIR specializes in the areas of optical networking and network intelligence and provides objective research and analysis for the optical networking world. For more information, visit www.cir-inc.com.