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P1245 EASY - Ethernet based Access networks StudY
closed
For further information please contact:

Adam Kapovits
Project Supervisor
EURESCOM
Wieblinger Weg 19/4
69123 Heidelberg, Germany
Project Information
What is this Project about?

IP is widely accepted as the future service platform and this project will also adopt this assumption.

Ethernet has proven itself in the corporate Intranets/IP networks in a LAN environment as a layer 2 transport technology. Recently, Ethernet made its way into the metro part of the network, so it is present at the edge of the core network.

Furthermore, Ethernet is also the technology of choice to connect customer consumer devices (PC, etc.) to the network.

This makes Ethernet a natural choice for the access network as a layer 2 transport technology. Ethernet is already widely deployed in the broadband access network in conjunction with DSL and ATM. The study proposes to investigate the potential of Ethernet, and its add-on functionality (e.g. VLAN) in the access network, also in conjunction with other emerging technologies such as MPLS, in order to support operators to position themselves with regard to the various newly proposed Ethernet based access network solutions.

.What are the main objectives of this Project?

  • Identify the likely services that need to be supported;
  • Identify the functionality required from an Ethernet AN;
  • Identify the possible impact of Ethernet ANs on the core network;
  • Provide a survey of the proposed Ethernet based AN solutions;
  • Provide a basic economic anaylsis to assess the benefits of Ethernet in the AN.

What are the key results for this Project?

  • Functionality and service requirements for Ethernet based access networks;
  • Identification of the strength and weaknesses of the various Ethernet based access network solutions with regard to the functionality and service requirements;
  • Benefits of adopting an Ethernet based access network.

What relationship exists to other organisations or bodies?

Ethernet based access networks are currently being standardised in various standardisation bodies, e.g. in the Ethernet First Mile (EFM) Task Force of IEEE and in DSL Forum.

Existing results of other research projects - in particular results from the EURESCOM project P1117 FAN and IST TONIC (IST 25172) project that are expected to be available by the end of December - will be used as far as possible.
Project Results
Deliverable Title  No Issue date
Ethernet based Access Networks - document D1 May 2003
Ethernet based Access Networks - presentation D2 May 2003