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Introduction
Ethernet Services are the foundation of modern connectivity. Delivered primarily over fiber optic networks, Ethernet enables enterprises to extend LAN-like performance across metro, regional, national, and international footprints.
SolveForce provides Carrier Ethernet (MEF-compliant), Metro Ethernet, Ethernet Private Line (EPL), Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL), and Ethernet Any-to-Any (E-LAN). Services are available with electrical handoffs (RJ-45) or optical handoffs (SFP, SFP+, QSFP, QSFP-DD) depending on speed and equipment requirements.
I. Types of Ethernet Services
🏙️ Metro Ethernet
Ethernet service delivered across a metropolitan area. Commonly used to connect multiple business sites within a city with predictable performance and symmetrical bandwidth.
🛠️ Carrier Ethernet (CE 2.0)
Standardized Ethernet service defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF). Provides point-to-point (EPL/EVPL) and multipoint (E-LAN) connections with performance guarantees, CoS (Class of Service), and SLAs.
🔗 Ethernet Private Line (EPL)
Point-to-point Ethernet service with full transparency (all protocols allowed). Ideal for connecting two data centers or critical sites.
🔗 Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL)
Point-to-point service with multiplexing (multiple VLANs). Allows one physical port to carry multiple logical services, reducing cost and increasing flexibility.
🌐 E-LAN — Ethernet LAN Service
Any-to-any connectivity for multi-site enterprises. Functions like a large Layer-2 switch over a carrier backbone.
🖧 Ethernet Transport Services
Ethernet as a WAN transport technology. Extends Layer-2 domains across geographies while preserving LAN simplicity. Supports private interconnects, cloud, and peering.
II. Ethernet Handoffs
🔌 Electrical Handoff (RJ-45)
Common for 10/100/1000 Mbps links. Delivered as an RJ-45 copper interface directly into a switch or firewall.
🔦 Optical Handoff (SFP/QSFP)
For speeds from 1 Gbps to 1 Tbps, delivered via fiber optic Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP, SFP+, QSFP, QSFP-DD) modules. Preferred for high-capacity links and long distances.
III. Ethernet Speed Tiers
Ethernet scales from Fast Ethernet to Terabit-class Ethernet, supporting everything from branch offices to hyperscale data centers.
| Tier | Symmetrical Speed | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Ethernet | 100 Mbps | SOHO, small sites, basic connectivity |
| Metro Ethernet | 300–500 Mbps | SMBs, multi-site city networks |
| Gigabit Ethernet | 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps) | Standard enterprise, UCaaS, hosted apps |
| Multi-Gigabit | 2–5 Gbps | Media, CAD, SaaS growth workloads |
| 10 Gigabit Ethernet | 10 Gbps | Data centers, carrier aggregation |
| 40 Gigabit Ethernet | 40 Gbps | Research networks, IX peering |
| 100 Gigabit Ethernet | 100 Gbps | Cloud interconnects, metro cores |
| 400 Gigabit Ethernet | 400 Gbps | Hyperscale fabrics, regional cores |
| 800 Gigabit Ethernet | 800 Gbps | Carrier backbone, IX hubs |
| 1 Terabit Ethernet | 1 Tbps | Hyperscale data centers, AI/ML clusters, Tier-1 carrier networks |
IV. Use Cases
🏢 Enterprise WANs
Connect branch offices, headquarters, and cloud with predictable, SLA-backed performance.
🏭 Data Center Interconnects
High-capacity Ethernet links between data centers for storage replication, backup, and workload mobility.
🏦 Financial Services
Ultra-low latency Ethernet connections between exchanges, trading platforms, and disaster recovery sites.
🎓 Research & Education
High-bandwidth Ethernet LAN extensions supporting collaborative research, HPC, and distributed learning.
🌐 Internet Exchanges & Cloud On-Ramps
Ethernet handoffs into AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, Google Interconnect and global IXPs for high-performance peering.
V. Advantages of Ethernet
- Simplicity: LAN-like connectivity across metro/WAN backbones.
- Scalability: Speeds scale easily from 100 Mbps to 1 Tbps.
- Flexibility: Supports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and any-to-any.
- Cost-Effective: Lower overhead than MPLS for many use cases.
- Interoperability: Works seamlessly with routers, firewalls, switches.
- Performance: SLA-backed latency, jitter, and packet delivery.
VI. Related Services
- 🌐 Fiber Internet (DIA)
- 🔗 MPLS
- 🔗 VPLS
- ☁️ Cloud Services
- 🛡️ Security Services
- 🏢 Data Centers & Colocation
Next Steps
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