Sam Cooke once sang, “A Change is Gonna Come”. . .well Sam, your words always ring true, and its coming fast!
We have discussed a lot about Metro Ethernet/Carrier Ethernet connections and the great impact it can have on your business financially because of its ability to cut hardware, support and labor costs while leaving the networking to professionals who perform nothing but those tasks for a living.
These great advantages also come with their own challenges. Those being education and a need for a set of standard rules and guidelines/guidance to make sure that implementation and support has a consistent and logical manner. With the roll-out of carrier Ethernet services by major Internet Service providers, telephone service providers, cable providers and more, the Metro Ethernet Forum provides the fundamental blueprint to make it all work.
As changes in the business networking platform change from the standard Local Area Networks of the past to Managed Ethernet Networks, the process of how to implement in a fashion that takes into consideration the latest technologies, current hardware platforms, the network infrastructure already in place for service providers and the education required for the task, had to be reviewed.
And so the MEF was created to put this all together.
What Does the Metro Ethernet Forum Do?
They promote practical deployment of Carrier Ethernet across the world by developing architectural, service and management technical specifications and implementation agreements to be followed.
They have created a certification committee that oversees programs for equipment, services and professionals based on test suites developed by a technical committee.
They have a marketing committee that raises awareness and educates the industry on the work of the Metro Ethernet Forum, including the development of business, technical and implementation white papers, use cases, presentations and videos.
And lastly, a service operations committee streamlines and standardizes the buying, selling, delivering and operating processes of Carrier Ethernet services.
The goal here is to create a consensus between providers on services and specification.
What Impact Does the Metro Ethernet Forum Have on My Business?
Implementing new technologies can have a great impact on your business, from both a fiscal and operational point of view. Using a partner without the right skill-set to implement these technologies, can be disastrous however. Turning over responsibility of your network infrastructure to a partner is an important decision, many of us don’t like the idea of losing a sense of control. So while doing so has great benefits, the Metro Ethernet Forum provides your business a path to be sure that you have information.
You can learn about the Key specifications, if you happen to be techie, but most importantly you can see on their website, information that MEF partners use. You can learn if a partner you are considering is a MEF Carrier Ethernet Certified Professional. Its largest impact is to assure you that your money is well spent on a team ready to implement the new technology in a safe and affordable manner.
You’re job is easy, once you make the decision on Metro Ethernet services, use the Forum as your guide in choosing a partner.
Ethernet Photo via Shutterstock
“In this day and age, people’s businesses and job descriptions are littered with phrases like web design, software programming, online marketing, virtual assistant, content writing and social media marketing. A lot of business have gone to putting stock on online marketing to help boost their brand and their sales. Therefore, staying connected is a must! Pressure and demand are heaped upon carriers, with that in mind. Most assuredly, not everyone of them will be forthcoming with their capacity. Their will be those who will put personal gain or profit over user experience and customer service.
You are right in saying that we need an avenue where we can check out whether the performance of these carriers are up to par with their claims basing on the opinions of those who have tried or are familiar with it, such as you say this is what Metro Ethernet Forums will be. Well, that is good news to those business owners who have joined the virtual revolution. Now, they have a way to make sure they will make a sound decision in their choice.
This is a good suggestion, thanks!”
This device helps a lot to a business company because it can send videos and other applications to the other branches of your company via internet. It’s what every company should have.
Aira Bongco
The problem with Ethernet is that you usually know how it works only from your local Internet service provider. It is better if you can really learn from it from a forum like this. This will be a great help.
Tom Jeffery
Respectfully, Sam Cook did not sing about a change in the cost of internet connectivity. He sang about a change in the world’s view of the worth of a human soul. In the same way, MLK Jr’s dream was not of savings for small business. Please think before you start a column that way.
Judge Knot
Homeland Security should install TEN GIGABIT ETHERNET to everyone’s business and home, to monitor everything, and keep us safe from Canadians, who share everything with English Redcoats.