Quick Links — Connectivity: Ethernet · Fiber Internet · Fixed Wireless · Coax · DSL · T1 · SIP Trunking · MPLS · VPN
Introduction
Ethernet Services are the foundation of modern connectivity. Delivered primarily over fiber optic networks, Ethernet extends LAN-like performance across metro, regional, national, and international footprints.
SolveForce partners with all major carriers and provides access to over 60 million fiber-lit buildings worldwide — and growing every day. Whether you need to connect offices across a metro, link data centers between states, or interconnect sites across continents, SolveForce delivers Ethernet with global reach, best-price guarantees, and SLA-backed performance.
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 on-ramps, and IX peering.
II. Ethernet & IP Transport
🌍 IP Transport
Carrier-grade IP Transport over Ethernet provides dedicated Layer-3 connectivity between cities, regions, and countries. Ideal for linking branch offices, data centers, and cloud regions where you need deterministic IP performance. Supports IPv4 and IPv6 routing, traffic engineering, and QoS policies.
🏢 Global Lit Building Connectivity
SolveForce provides access to over 60 million fiber-lit buildings worldwide, with new sites being added every day. These lit buildings can be interconnected via Ethernet Private Line, Metro Ethernet, IP Transport, or International Ethernet.
- National ReachConnect offices across states and regions with predictable latency.
- International ReachExtend Ethernet into Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa via undersea cable capacity and global carrier partners.
- ScalabilityBandwidth from 100 Mbps to 1 Tbps, tailored for each site’s needs.
III. Ethernet Handoffs
🔌 Electrical Handoff (RJ-45)
Common for 10/100/1000 Mbps links. Delivered as an RJ-45 copper interface directly into a switch, router, 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.
IV. 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 |
V. Use Cases
🏢 Enterprise WANs
Connect branch offices, HQ, and cloud with predictable, SLA-backed Ethernet/IP performance.
🏭 Data Center Interconnects
High-capacity Ethernet links between data centers for replication, backup, and workload mobility.
🏦 Financial Services
Ultra-low latency Ethernet connections between exchanges, trading platforms, and DR sites.
🎓 Research & Education
High-bandwidth Ethernet/IP transport supporting collaborative research, HPC, and distributed learning.
🌐 Internet Exchanges & Cloud On-Ramps
Ethernet/IP handoffs into AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, Google Interconnect, and global IXPs for high-performance peering.
VI. Advantages of Ethernet & IP Transport
- SimplicityLAN-like connectivity across metro/WAN backbones.
- ScalabilitySpeeds scale easily from 100 Mbps to 1 Tbps.
- FlexibilitySupports point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and any-to-any topologies.
- Cost-EffectiveLower overhead than MPLS for many enterprise workloads.
- InteroperabilityWorks seamlessly with routers, firewalls, switches.
- PerformanceSLA-backed latency, jitter, and packet delivery.
- ReachNational and international reach to 60+ million lit buildings and growing.
VII. Related Services
Next Steps
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Key terms in plain language
Open a term for a concise explanation of language used on this page.
Fiber Internet
Internet delivered through strands of glass using light. Fiber commonly supports high capacity, low latency, and strong upload performance, but availability must be confirmed for the exact address.
Bandwidth
The amount of data a connection can carry in a given time, usually measured in Mbps or Gbps. More bandwidth supports more users, devices, and simultaneous applications.
Latency
The time it takes data to travel between two points. Lower latency improves voice, video meetings, cloud applications, gaming, and other real-time services.
Service-Level Agreement (SLA)
A provider’s written commitment covering service targets such as availability, response time, repair time, and sometimes financial credits when commitments are missed.
Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)
A business-grade Internet connection with capacity dedicated to the customer rather than shared in the same way as typical consumer broadband. It often includes symmetrical speeds and an SLA.
MPLS
Multiprotocol Label Switching, a private-network technology that directs traffic along managed paths. Organizations use it for predictable connectivity between locations.
VPN
A virtual private network creates an encrypted connection across another network, commonly allowing remote users or offices to access private resources securely.
Unified Communications (UCaaS)
A cloud-based combination of business calling, messaging, meetings, presence, and collaboration tools managed as one communications service.