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CET (Carrier Ethernet Transport)

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Carrier Ethernet Transport (CET) is a technology that provides high-speed Ethernet connectivity between locations, typically used by service providers to deliver wide area networking (WAN) services. It is designed to be scalable, efficient, and cost-effective, allowing service providers to offer Ethernet-based connectivity to customers across a wide geographic area. CET is an extension of Carrier Ethernet, which is a standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that defines a set of specifications for Ethernet-based networks.

CET is often used to provide connectivity between multiple locations of an enterprise, allowing for fast and reliable data transfer between sites. It is also used by service providers to deliver services to their customers, such as virtual private networks (VPNs), voice over IP (VoIP), and cloud services.

CET is designed to be compatible with existing Ethernet-based networks, allowing service providers to leverage their existing infrastructure. It is also designed to be scalable, allowing service providers to add more capacity as needed, without the need for major upgrades.

CET uses a set of protocols and technologies to provide its features and benefits. These include:

  1. Ethernet: Ethernet is a widely used technology for local area networks (LANs). It provides a reliable and fast way to transfer data between devices within a LAN. Ethernet is used as the base technology for CET.
  2. VLANs: VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) are used to segment a LAN into multiple logical networks. Each VLAN operates as if it were a separate LAN, even though it is physically part of the same LAN. VLANs are used in CET to separate traffic between different customers or services.
  3. Quality of Service (QoS): QoS is a set of technologies and protocols that ensure that high-priority traffic is given priority over lower-priority traffic. QoS is used in CET to ensure that mission-critical traffic, such as VoIP and video conferencing, is given priority over less important traffic.
  4. Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS): MPLS is a protocol that is used to route traffic between networks. It is used in CET to provide a highly scalable and efficient way to transport Ethernet traffic between locations.
  5. Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) standards: MEF is an industry group that develops standards for Carrier Ethernet. MEF standards are used in CET to ensure that different vendors' equipment works together seamlessly.

CET provides a number of benefits over traditional WAN technologies, such as T1 lines and frame relay. These benefits include:

  1. Scalability: CET is highly scalable, allowing service providers to add more capacity as needed without the need for major upgrades.
  2. Cost-effectiveness: CET is a cost-effective way to provide Ethernet-based connectivity to customers over a wide geographic area.
  3. Flexibility: CET is flexible, allowing service providers to offer a range of services, such as VPNs, VoIP, and cloud services.
  4. Reliability: CET is highly reliable, with built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure that service is not interrupted in the event of a network failure.

CET is also used in conjunction with other technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), to provide additional benefits and features. SDN allows service providers to manage the network centrally, while NFV allows them to virtualize network functions, such as firewalls and routers, to reduce costs and increase flexibility.

In conclusion, Carrier Ethernet Transport (CET) is a technology that provides high-speed Ethernet connectivity between locations, typically used by service providers to deliver WAN services. CET is designed to be scalable, efficient, and cost-effective, allowing service providers to offer Ethernet-based connectivity to customers across a wide geographic area. CET uses a set of protocols and technologies, including Ethernet, VLANs, Quality of Service (QoS), Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), and Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) standards, to provide its features and benefits. CET provides a number of benefits over traditional WAN technologies, such as T1 lines and frame relay, including scalability, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and reliability. CET is also used in conjunction with other technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), to provide additional benefits and features.