The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) in Berlin today presented its first round of companies certified as meeting its carrier Ethernet service definitions.
The companies earning certification for their systems are: Actelis Networks; Alcatel; Atrica; Cisco Systems Inc.; Extreme Networks; Fujitsu Network Communications; Hatteras Networks; Lucent Technologies; Metrobility Optical Systems; MRV; Nortel Networks; Riverstone; Siemens; Tellabs; T-pack; and World Wide Packets.
The MEF says its certification program is a key step in facilitating the provisioning of consistent carrier Ethernet services worldwide. The program’s first phase launched in April; Iometrix was the first lab to participate, testing all products in accordance with the MEF’s "Test Plan for Ethernet Services at the UNI." The 16 certified companies received documentation stating whether they deliver Ethernet Private Line, Ethernet Virtual Private Line and/or Ethernet multipoint-to-multipoint services compliant with the MEF 9 technical specification for such services.
"The demand for carrier Ethernet is exploding, and the MEF Certification Program will help the networking industry to meet it," says Eric Puetz, executive director broadband switching for SBC Laboratories. "Increasing interest in carrier Ethernet deployment in backhaul networks for Wi-Fi and triple-play services is extending demand far beyond just business applications. As this program continues to certify multiple aspects of carrier Ethernet as defined by the MEF, it will become even easier to deliver the benefits of carrier Ethernet.”
