First European Multi-Vendor Carrier Ethernet Interoperability Test

This report describes the results of one of the first public multi-vendor Carrier Ethernet interoperability tests in Europe. As opposed to previous such events, we constructed a fully functional, end-to-end Carrier Ethernet network with business and residential applications. 12 different vendors participated in the event with devices ranging from customer premise equipment through wireless aggregation units to high density/high capacity core routers.

 

Overall, the results were very promising – some aspects worked immediately in the multi-vendor environment. We were successful in reaching the goal of creating a scalable end-to-end multi-vendor Carrier Ethernet network carrying business and residential triple play services. In other areas of the test, the experiments made were helpful to identify potential improvements.

 

The interoperability event at the Carrier Ethernet World Congress 2005 has been organized by the European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC) and sponsored by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF). T-Systems supported the test.

 

The interoperability tests detailed in the document were conducted using Carrier Ethernet switches, MPLS routers, emulators, as well as customer premises equipment from various vendors, during a hot-stage event. Through several rounds of testing and methodology refining, a final network of interoperable devices was successfully constructed. This network and the test results were demonstrated at Carrier Ethernet World Congress 2005 in Berlin, September 13-15, 2005.

 

The test scenarios designed specifically for this showcase by EANTC were based upon the MEF technical specifications and reviewed by participating vendors and T-Systems.

 

To ensure the event’s success, a one week hot-staging event with all the participating vendors was conducted before the Carrier Ethernet World Congress. The hot-stage took place at EANTC’s labs (European Advanced Networking Test Center) in Berlin, Germany.

The following companies and devices demonstrated their interoperability in the test event: