Metropolitan Ethernet Network: A move from LAN to MAN

Ethernet has been the indisputable technology of choice for the local area networks (LANs) for more than 30 years. Its popularity is due to its versatility, plug-n-play feature, and low cost. It has transformed from a CSMA/CD technology providing low throughput to a full-duplex link increasing the throughput 1000-folds. Despite these improvements, Ethernet is still restricted to local area networks, and is not ready to become a carrier-grade technology for wider areas. However, there are efforts to assist the transformation of Ethernet from the mainstream LAN technology to the possible adoption for metropolitan area networks (MENs). This paper will introduce the movement from basic Ethernet to the carrier grade Ethernet for MENs. The paper describes the underlying technology, offered services, the state-of-the-art, and the comparison between various technologies. In the context of the move from LAN to MAN, various problems and their corresponding solutions are discussed, along with the future of Metro Ethernet Network.