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Metro Ethernet Applications:
Ethernet works extremely well for all applications provided by other forms of data bandwidth, such as T1, DS3 and OC (optical carrier) circuits. Ethernet is provided with the same service level guarantees offered with these other three types of circuits. Ethernet provides point-to-point circuits, MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) networking, direct internet access and voice service.
Metro Ethernet Availability and Access:
All forms of metro ethernet are dependant on local access. As mentioned earlier, 10 mbps ethernet can be provided over five sets of copper telephone wire, or seven DS1 circuits. Ethernet over copper (EoC) costs less than ethernet over DS1 (EoDS1), but the range for which EoC can reach a customer is often limited to 11000 feet. EoDS1 has a much longer range. It can often reach as far as DS1 circuits can extend. One of the main reasons that EoDS1 costs more than EoC is that with EoDS1, the cost of all of those DS1 loops are factored into the price. At 44, 88, and 100 mbps, ethernet provided over DS3 provides higher bandwidth options than 10 mbps EoC and EoDS1, however ethernet over DS3 carries its own unique access challenges. Most business buildings are not “lit” for DS3. Unlike DS1 and EoC, copper telephone wires are not able to carry a DS3 circuit. DS3 requires special forms of wiring, or fiber. Buildings which have this special wiring, or fiber running to them, are referred to as “lit” buildings. To light an unlit building, “build-out” often is needed. Build-out is often extremely expensive. Imagine the costs of running fiber from the local central office (CO) to a specific business location, often several miles. Some estimate the cost of fiber build-out to average about $300 or more per foot. In rare occasions, some providers will waive this cost in return for very long contracts, or recuperate it with higher monthly costs. To provide ethernet over DS3 to remote buildings that are not lit, can include extremely expensive up front costs. Gig-E requires fiber as well. If a business location happens to be within a mile of a lit CO, then build-out costs might be justified for very large bandwidth pipes. For companies which do not need more than 10 mbps, EoC or EoDS1 are usually the most practical options. For buildings which are already lit, and for collocation facilities, EoDS3 and/or Gig-E can offer extreme savings per mbps of bandwidth.
Metro Ethernet Advantages:
The greatest advantage of metro ethernet is price. The monthly cost of EoC is about one third of the price of equivalent bandwidth delivered in the form of bonded T1 or fractional DS3. Also, because EoC and EoDS1 are delivered over regular copper phone lines, they normally do not require build-out. For this reason, they can often be installed for free, whereas fractional DS3 often requires build-out for buildings which are not lit. A third advantage of ethernet is that it requires far less sophisticated customer premise routing equipment. Ethernet provides an ethernet handoff that does not require expensive CSU/DSUs that are required for customer interfacing with T1 or DS3.
Wireless Ethernet and Redundancy:
Wireless ethernet is becoming more available for urban and rural areas. With wireless ethernet, a business can receive a backup circuit from a completely independent transmission source. With wireless ethernet, most companies which use hard-wired sources for T1, DS3, Ethernet, or OC circuits can now also obtain wireless circuits which can serve as completely redundant backup bandwidth sources during emergency times when “wired” bandwidth goes down. Many Telecom providers provide equipment which will automatically switch to a wireless backup bandwidth source during outages. The process is called failover. Automatic failover is very popular with businesses that would suffer extreme losses if their bandwidth goes down.
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