2Įthernet based VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service) is a transparent, protocol independent, multipoint L2VPN (Layer 2 Virtual Private Network) mechanism to interconnect remote customer sites over IP (Internet Protocol) or MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) based provider networks. In the context of the move from LAN to MAN, various problems and their corresponding solutions are discussed, along with the future of Metro Ethernet Network. The paper describes the underlying technology, offered services, the state-of-the-art, and the comparison between various technologies. This paper will introduce the movement from basic Ethernet to the carrier grade Ethernet for MENs. However, there are efforts to assist the transformation of Ethernet from the mainstream LAN technology to the possible adoption for metropolitan area networks (MENs).

Despite these improvements, Ethernet is still restricted to local area networks, and is not ready to become a carrier grade technology for wider areas. It has transformed from a CSMA/CD technology providing low throughput to a full duplex link increasing the throughput 1000 folds. Its popularity is due to its versatility, plug-n-play feature, and low cost. Ethernet has been the indisputable technology of choice for the local area networks (LANs) for more than 30 years.

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