Carrier Ethernet

Ethernet and the move to next-generation networks

This White Paper investigates the benefits of Ethernet and the flexibility it allows for Channel Partners. Just over five years ago Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) was the undisputed technology of choice for high speed data transmission. Today this is no longer the case, as new technologies that enable next-generation networking are beginning to make their presence felt.

SDH won its crown because it was a universal standard in digital transmission. With both optical and electrical interfaces, easy and cost-efficient traffic add / drop and cross connect capability it enabled the deployment of powerful management capabilities within the network.

The key to SDH’s manageability was its highly structured nature, subdividing transmission paths into various traffic bandwidth payloads and handling traffic according to these. However, when SDH is measured against the management flexibility provided by Ethernet, it is clearly limited...download the white paper to read more.