eAN (Evolved access network)

Evolved access network (eAN) is a next-generation network architecture that enables flexible, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of high-speed broadband services to end-users. eAN is designed to address the growing demand for bandwidth and new services by providing a scalable, high-capacity, and reliable access infrastructure. eAN is an evolution of the existing access networks, which includes the copper, coaxial, and fiber-optic networks. eAN is based on a packet-based architecture and uses the latest networking technologies such as Ethernet and IP to provide high-speed connectivity to end-users.

The evolution of the access network is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for high-speed broadband services, the growth of new applications and services, and the need for cost-effective delivery of these services. The traditional access networks, such as copper and coaxial networks, have limitations in terms of bandwidth, reliability, and scalability. These networks were originally designed for delivering analog voice and low-speed data services and are unable to meet the requirements of modern broadband services.

eAN is designed to overcome the limitations of the traditional access networks and provide a scalable, high-capacity, and reliable access infrastructure. eAN is based on a packet-based architecture that uses Ethernet and IP technologies to provide high-speed connectivity to end-users. eAN is also designed to be compatible with existing access networks, allowing for a smooth transition from legacy networks to eAN.

The key features of eAN include:

1. Scalability: eAN is designed to be highly scalable, allowing service providers to increase capacity as demand grows. eAN uses a modular architecture that allows for the addition of new access nodes and network elements as needed. This modularity enables service providers to scale their networks to meet the demands of new services and applications.
2. High-capacity: eAN is designed to provide high-capacity access to end-users. eAN uses fiber-optic technology for the last-mile connection, which can provide speeds of up to 10 Gbps. eAN also uses advanced modulation techniques to increase the capacity of the existing copper and coaxial networks.
3. Reliability: eAN is designed to be highly reliable, with redundant network elements and failover mechanisms to ensure that services are always available. eAN also uses advanced network management and monitoring tools to detect and resolve network issues quickly.
4. Quality of service: eAN is designed to provide a high-quality service experience to end-users. eAN uses advanced traffic management and shaping tools to prioritize traffic and ensure that critical applications and services receive the necessary bandwidth.
5. Cost-effectiveness: eAN is designed to be cost-effective, with a modular architecture that allows service providers to deploy only the network elements they need. eAN also uses advanced technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to reduce the cost of network deployment and management.

The eAN architecture consists of several network elements, including access nodes, aggregation nodes, and core network elements. The access nodes provide the last-mile connection to end-users and are connected to the aggregation nodes, which aggregate traffic from multiple access nodes. The core network elements provide the backbone connectivity between the aggregation nodes and the service provider's core network.

eAN uses a packet-based architecture that uses Ethernet and IP technologies to transport data. The eAN access nodes are designed to be compatible with existing access networks, allowing for a smooth transition from legacy networks to eAN. The eAN access nodes support multiple access technologies, including fiber, copper, and coaxial, and can be deployed in various configurations, such as fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-building (FTTB), and fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC).

The eAN aggregation nodes are designed to aggregate traffic from multiple access nodes and provide high-speed connectivity to the core network. The aggregation nodes are typically located in the central office or a nearby data center and are connected to the core network through high-speed links. The aggregation nodes are responsible for traffic management and shaping, ensuring that critical applications and services receive the necessary bandwidth.

The core network elements provide the backbone connectivity between the aggregation nodes and the service provider's core network. The core network elements include routers, switches, and other networking equipment that enable high-speed data transfer between the aggregation nodes and the core network. The core network is typically designed to be highly redundant, with multiple paths and failover mechanisms to ensure that services are always available.

eAN also uses advanced networking technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to reduce the cost of network deployment and management. SDN allows service providers to centrally manage and configure their networks, making it easier to deploy new services and applications. NFV allows service providers to virtualize network functions such as firewalls, routers, and switches, reducing the cost and complexity of deploying and managing network infrastructure.

eAN is also designed to support new services and applications such as 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud services. eAN provides the necessary infrastructure to support these new services and applications, including high-speed connectivity, quality of service, and reliability. eAN also supports network slicing, which allows service providers to create virtual networks that are optimized for specific services and applications.

In summary, eAN is a next-generation access network architecture that provides a scalable, high-capacity, and reliable access infrastructure for delivering high-speed broadband services to end-users. eAN is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional access networks and provide a flexible and cost-effective platform for deploying new services and applications. eAN uses advanced networking technologies such as SDN and NFV to reduce the cost and complexity of network deployment and management. eAN is also designed to support new services and applications such as 5G, IoT, and cloud services, making it a critical component of the modern telecommunications infrastructure.