| |
|
| For Immediate
Release |
|
| ATIS
1200 G Street, NW
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005 |
Contact:
Trish Gessner
Phone: 202-434-8851
E-mail: tgessner@atis.org
www.atis.org |
ATIS
Releases Blueprint for Attaining Standardized Ethernet Network
Wide Area Ethernet
Will Build Out Existing Networks, Ensure Security and Interoperability
Across Network Boundaries
October 11, 2004, Washington, D.C. –
ATIS today announced the release of the Wide Area Ethernet (WAE)
Work Plan, a guide to developing complete end-to-end standards
for ubiquitous Ethernet services.
The document outlines
an action plan that will lead the industry to a complete suite
of wide area Ethernet standards that ensures interoperability
of networks across corporate and regional boundaries for a consistent
communications and data network.
“Creating
standards towards an ensured interoperable, implementable end-to-end
solution for Ethernet-based services is vital for the efficient,
secure and cost-effective delivery of this relatively new technology
in the communications space,” said Susan M Miller, president
and CEO of ATIS. “Services will be supported over a wide
variety of existing and future technologies, including twisted
pairs, hybrid fiber-coax, wireless and optics, so adherence
to technical standards and protocols is of utmost importance
as data moves among networks and between service providers.”
Ethernet is already
recognized as a mature and stable technological choice for Local
Area Networks, but standardization is necessary for the creation
of a consistent, interoperable network that functions smoothly
and delivers communications packets securely across service
provider boundaries.
The WAE Work Plan
is the product of the ATIS Technology and Operations (TOPS)
Council’s WAE Focus Group, which has reviewed existing
technologies, identified necessary technical standards and operating
protocols and assessed standards work already in progress within
ATIS and other standards development organizations. Areas where
additional standards work is needed also were identified. Issues
assessed and the Focus Group’s findings in these areas
include:
- Service Model/Definition
of Ethernet Service: A universal definition and consistent
vision of Ethernet is needed within the industry to ensure
hand-offs between service providers.
- Service Parameters
& Standards: Distinct Ethernet service classes need to
be recognized and performance parameters and measurement techniques
identified for each class.
- Operations, Administration
and Maintenance (OAM) Technical Support: Link management,
failure notification and fault localization mechanisms need
to be identified and, where lacking, created to ensure cross-boundary
service.
- Network Scalability:
Industry must endorse and commit to completing work in Ethernet
transport over SONET/SDH, provide bridges standard and work
on the VPLS standard.
- Ethernet Product
Component and Connectivity Standards: A standard or set of
standards for Ethernet customer-network interface and equipment
requirements for service providers must be defined and developed.
- Interoperability:
the creation of interoperability test specifications and their
use among equipment vendors and service providers must be
accelerated.
- Ordering, Billing
and Provisioning: automated ordering, provisioning and billing
of Ethernet services across service provider boundaries must
be formulated.
About ATIS
ATIS is a technical
planning and standards development organization that is committed
to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations
standards for the communications and related information technologies
industry worldwide using a pragmatic, flexible and open approach.
Participants from more than 350 communications companies are
active in ATIS’ 20 industry committees and its Incubator
Solutions Program. www.atis.org
About the
ATIS TOPS Council
ATIS’ TOPS
Council is comprised of chief technology officers and other
senior executives from the communications industry’s leading
companies. Its standards work plans guide the advancement of
suites of necessary standards that result in interoperable,
implementable, end-to-end solution for priority issues. Adherence
to these standards will provide cost-effective development roadmaps
to service providers deploying carrier-grade IP-based communications
services. The first five priorities identified by the TOPS Council
are: VoIP, Network Security, Data Interchange, Mobile Wireless
Services and Wide Area Ethernet. Work plans for VoIP, Network
Security and Data Interchange were release in June 2004 and
are in the implementation phase. The Mobile Wireless Services
Work Plan also is being released today. (See accompanying press
release: Telecom Industry Releases Mobile Wireless Services
Work Plan.)
|
