Making the Case for Converged Ethernet Transport: The Advantages of Integrating Layer 2 Ethernet With Layer 0/1 Transport

The rapid growth of IP traffic is creating a period of transition from circuit to packet optimization. Service providers - already having made significant investments in service edge and core networks using IP/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) routing equipment to support IP and Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS - are now focusing on the access and metro networks. Ethernet has emerged as the leading technology to support this evolution. As Ethernet has moved into the metro transport domain, packet optical networking platforms have emerged. These platforms enable converged Ethernet transport networks to address forecasted IP and Ethernet traffic demands while making more efficient use of service edge and core IP router investments.