Introduction

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The future of the networked world is called “Cisco Metro Ethernet” – a revolution?

On the 30.10.2002 “Ethernet to the X” took place at Cisco systems in Berlin under the name of a press event on the topic of broadband networks. About 50 journalists from all over Europe were invited to listen to Cisco’s visions of the future. Buzzwords such as “Accessibility”, “Bandwidth on demand” and “Multiple Services” circulated and presented graphically on the job. ComputerBase.de, we were also there and want to offer now a small insight in a not too distant future you.

Metro-Ethernet

Metro Ethernet, the great initiative of Cisco systems, is to be the future of the networked world and ultimately means nothing but broadband Internet access for the masses. What already is successfully tested in Sweden, Austria, and Italy is to become the world standard in the near future. To enable this, Metro Ethernet, Cisco uses developed, open standards, which are freely accessible to everyone.

Metro Ethernet is to be the end of all conventional networks – what is spread currently still on separate networks, that is to be merged soon with each other. Language (voice over IP), data (Internet), video (TV, video on-demand), all of which should, if it goes by Cisco, with a single large network are delivered. Cisco speaks “Ethernet to the X” in its technology of unlimited bandwidth. What sounds are still like music of the future, is already successfully tested in several large European cities. There are already networks that are based on Metro Ethernet in Paris and Vienna. Six Italian cities are already a LRD (long range distance) ring together and also in Sweden is worked feverishly to build up such networks.

Why just Ethernet

When the term “Ethernet”, probably as some administrator is together the hands above the head. “Everybody shares data anyones”, which is still desirable in a corporate network, has to search anything, one might now argue in public networks. However, Cisco offers the solution for this problem also – MPLS (multi protocol label switching) is called the magic formula.

Networking is a fiber optic line up in the House. About active components, preferably in the cellar of the House, the conversion of fibre in Ethernet takes place. In the House itself, the networking takes place through a structured cat. 5 cabling, which ultimately means that everyone has a network connection in his apartment. Then all the desired services of the customer are made through this port. Telephone, television and Internet are realized only through a single connection. The current state of the art is that in theory every household could have a connection with leverage / s. So-called V LAN networks (virtual LAN), the individual ports are virtually separated from each other so that the safety of the own data is guaranteed.

One network – mulitple services

In this respect, Cisco offers not much news. Comparable network topologies are already in wide range of form in a variety of corporate networks. But what is now new? First keyword: “Accessibility”.Access from anywhere at any time without much effort.

Just imagine, one is head of a small company. Phone is now in every workplace and perhaps there is already a network of individual PCs. If one has guessed something was already on a structured cat. 5 cabling thought, future course, every job has at least 2 network ports. The cost of the networking was great, a company had to come, has drilled, completed and caused much noise and dirt. At the end of the Bill came, probably not just cheap. However, the idea, the entrance to be suddenly video monitored. So again you get a company with much noise, dirt and transferred cost video cables?

It goes to Cisco, such ideas are already history. Once a structured cabling carried out and that was “s also already.” All kinds of services and applications can now be done via the company network. Separate components fall away equipment for telephone, computer and video equipment. All in one device, all a network. Telephony can be done either via the computer or via special voice over IP – phones. Who on his old, analog devices hangs, please, everything no problem. Keyword fax: man imagine the costs, if everyone had his own fax machine. Cables and devices would consume enormous sums of money, not to mention the expensive maintenance. With the new network not a problem. A computer application makes it possible that every employee has an own faxes and also own has voice-box, if it is not in the place. DVD-quality video conferences are not a pipe dream. Surveillance cameras at critical points? Not an issue! Simply the cable in the next data can and ready. Immediately, you can use this service from any PC of out of the company.

The principle of the low “total cost of ownership”, so a network of low operating costs and easy extensibility, have been implemented optimally. But what sounds even after relatively normal network features, set up the ultimate icing on the cake now.

Limitless networking

We stay in our example, the small company. A few years later a branch in another city to be built, broadband data exchange in both directions must be however guaranteed. Again come to cost immense scale on the company.

The aforementioned virtual local area networks and corporate networks can be used not only within a networked building complex, but also globally. By simple configuring of a V LAN, it is relatively easily possible to set up the corporate network to the existing Metro LAN. Now company parts can be networked with each other all over the world, as if they were connected in a single large corporate network. So, an employee at home can work on his PC, as he is sitting in the company. All of course without sacrificing bandwidth. And exactly because the issue is. So far, such solutions only through conventional telephone lines have been cost effective possible. The employees had to dial in the morning in the company, has then more bad right carries out his work, had to wait ages for large amounts of data and the redirection of telephone conversations has caused further costs. With Metro Ethernet or “eTTx – Ethernet to the x”, where the x for the different locations is, represents all no longer a problem. With bandwidth-on-demand everyone, hanging on to the network, gets, exactly as much available bandwidth as it just needs. Thus, it is possible to work than to be sitting at a PC directly to the corporate network from anywhere in the world. Because the public Metro Ethernet can be used for this purpose, the company must be not huge costs for its own network.

Conclusion

All this is by far no fiction. The infrastructure in the form of fiber optic lines partially already exists and the active technology is available at Cisco and just waiting to be used.

Companies such as HanseNet (Germany), Wienstrom (Austria), Cap Gemini Ernst & young (France), and FastWeb (Italy) use this technology already extensively. All companies confirmed the full commitment of technology unanimously and pointed it out as a very reasonably priced. So, the Austrian provider Wienstrom already today offers a 10MBit-Anbindung for 69 € per month.

If we may believe Cisco and all other involved in this workshop, a huge optimism there is currently the world’s. Broadband connections, which are requested by the market for some time, will be available soon for everyone and also affordable stay. Internet and telephone have had its day in its present form. Everything will merge with each other, the many individual networks are combined into a large network. To the security of the own data, one has to, so Cisco Marketing Manager Johann Strauss, also don’t have to worry.

Only local jurisdictional issues and the comprehensive development of a fibre-optic network are why it is now. Here, the network operators are required. Fact is, however, that the economy and many households are demanding more bandwidth at lower prices. To make this possible, Metro Ethernet is a possible step in the future.