Use of Ethernet between a telecommunications company and a customer's premises
Ethernet in the first mile
(
EFM
) refers to using one of the
Ethernet
family of
computer network
technologies between a telecommunications company and a customer's premises. From the customer's point of view, it is their first mile, although from the
access network
's point of view it is known as the
last mile
.
A working group of the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) produced the standards known as
IEEE 802.3ah-2004
, which were later included in the overall standard
IEEE 802.3-2008
. EFM is often used in
active optical network
deployments.
[1]
Although it is often used for businesses, it can also be known as
Ethernet to the home
(
ETTH
). One family of standards known as
Ethernet passive optical network
(
EPON
) uses a
passive optical network
.
History
[
edit
]
With
wide
,
metro
, and
local area networks
using various forms of Ethernet, the goal was to eliminate non-native transport such as Ethernet over
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM) from access networks.
One early effort was the EtherLoop technology invented at
Nortel
Networks in 1996, and then spun off into the company Elastic Networks in 1998.
[2]
[3]
Its principal inventor was Jack Terry. The hope was to combine the packet-based nature of Ethernet with the ability of
digital subscriber line
(DSL) technology to work over existing telephone access wires.
[4]
The name comes from
local loop
, which traditionally describes the wires from a telephone company office to a subscriber. The protocol was
half-duplex
with control from the provider side of the loop. It adapted to line conditions with a peak of 10 Mbit/s advertised, but 4-6 Mbit/s more typical, at a distance of about 12,000 feet (3,700 m).
Symbol rates
were 1 mega
baud
or 1.67 megabaud, with 2, 4, or 6 bits per symbol.
[2]
The EtherLoop product name was registered as a trademark in the US and Canada.
[5]
The EtherLoop technology was eventually purchased by Paradyne Networks in 2002,
[6]
which was in turn purchased by
Zhone Technologies
in 2005.
[7]
Another effort was the concept promoted by
Michael Silverton
of using Ethernet variants that used
fiber-optic communication
to residential as well as business customers. This was an example of what has become known as
fiber to the home
(FTTH). The Fiberhood Networks company provided this service from 1999 to 2001.
[8]
[9]
Some early products around the year 2000, were marketed as
10BaseS
by
Infineon Technologies
, although they did not technically use
baseband
signalling, but rather
passband
as in
very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line
(VDSL) technology.
[10]
A patent was filed in 1997 by Peleg Shimon, Porat Boaz, Noam Alroy, Rubinstain Avinoam and Sfadya Yackow.
[11]
Long Reach Ethernet
was the product name used by
Cisco Systems
starting in 2001.
[12]
It supported modes of 5 Mbit/s, 10 Mbit/s, and 15 Mbit/s depending on distance.
[13]
[14]
In October 2000 Howard Frazier issued a call for interest on "Ethernet in the Last Mile".
[15]
At the November 2000 meeting, IEEE 802.3 created the "Ethernet in the First Mile" study group, and on July 16, 2001, the 802.3ah working group. In parallel participating vendors formed the
Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance
(EFMA) in December 2001 to promote Ethernet subscriber access technology and support the IEEE standard efforts.
[16]
At an early meeting, the EtherLoop technology was called 100BASE-CU and another technology called EoVDSL for Ethernet over VDSL.
[17]
The working group's EFM standard was approved on June 24, 2004, and published on September 7, 2004, as IEEE 802.3ah-2004. In 2005, it was included into the base IEEE 802.3 standard. In 2005, the EFMA was absorbed by the
Metro Ethernet Forum
.
[18]
In early 2006, work began on an even higher-speed 10 gigabit/second Ethernet
passive optical network
(10G-EPON) standard, ratified in 2009 as
IEEE 802.3av
.
[19]
The work on the EPON was continued by the IEEE P802.3bk
Extended EPON
Task Force,
[20]
formed in March 2012. The major goals for this Task Force included adding support for PX30, PX40, PRX40, and PR40 power budget classes to both 1G-EPON and 10G-EPON. The 802.3bk amendment was approved by the IEEE-SA SB in August 2013 and published soon thereafter as the standard IEEE Std 802.3bk-2013.
[21]
In November 2011, IEEE 802.3 began work on
EPON Protocol over Coax
(EPoC).
On June 4, 2020, the IEEE approved IEEE 802.3ca which allows for symmetric or asymmetric operation with downstream speeds of 25 Gbit/s or 50 Gbit/s, and upstream speeds of 10 Gbit/s, 25 Gbit/s, or 50 Gbit/s over
passive optical networks
.
[22]
[23]
Description
[
edit
]
EFM defines how Ethernet can be transmitted over new media types using new
Ethernet physical layer
(
PHY
) interfaces:
EFM also addresses other issues, required for mass deployment of Ethernet services, such as operations, administration, and management (
OA&M
)
[25]
and compatibility with existing technologies (such as
plain old telephone service
spectral compatibility for copper
twisted pair
).
Copper wires
[
edit
]
- 2BASE-TL
? defined in clauses 61 and 63.
Full-duplex
long-reach
point-to-point
link over
voice-grade copper
wiring. 2BASE-TL PHY can deliver a minimum of 2
Mbit/s
and a maximum of 5.69 Mbit/s over distances of up to 2700 m (9,000 ft), using
ITU-T
G.991.2
(G.SHDSL.bis) technology over a single copper pair.
- 10PASS-TS
? defined in clauses 61 and 62. Full-duplex short-reach point-to-point link over voice-grade copper wiring. 10PASS-TS PHY can deliver a minimum of 10 Mbit/s over distances of up to 750 m (2460 ft), using
ITU G.993.1
(
VDSL
) technology over a single copper pair.
Active fiber optics
[
edit
]
- 100BASE-LX10
defined in clause 58, providing point-to-point 100 Mbit/s Ethernet links over a pair of single-mode fibers up to at least 10 km.
- 100BASE-BX10
defined in clause 58, providing point-to-point 100 Mbit/s Ethernet links over an individual single-mode fiber up to at least 10 km.
- 1000BASE-LX10
defined in clause 59, providing point-to-point 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over a pair of single-mode fibers up to at least 10 km.
- 1000BASE-BX10
defined in clause 59, providing point-to-point 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over an individual single-mode fiber up to at least 10 km.
Passive optical network
[
edit
]
Fiber to the home
can use a
passive optical network
.
[26]
- 1000BASE-PX10
defined in Clause 60 (added by IEEE Std 802.3ah-2004), providing
P2MP
1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 10 km, at the split of at least 1:16.
- 1000BASE-PX20
defined in Clause 60 (added by IEEE Std 802.3ah-2004), providing P2MP 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:16.
- 1000BASE-PX30
defined in Clause 60 (added by IEEE Std 802.3bk-2013), providing P2MP 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:32.
- 1000BASE-PX40
defined in Clause 60 (added by IEEE Std 802.3bk-2013), providing P2MP 1000 Mbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:64.
- 10GBASE-PR10
defined in Clause 91 (added by IEEE Std 802.3av-2009), providing
P2MP
10 Gbit/s Ethernet links over PONs
, at the distance of at least 10 km, at the split of at least 1:16.
- 10GBASE-PR20
defined in Clause 91 (added by IEEE Std 802.3av-2009), providing P2MP 10 Gbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:16.
- 10GBASE-PR30
defined in Clause 91 (added by IEEE Std 802.3av-2009), providing P2MP 10 Gbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:32.
- 10GBASE-PR40
defined in Clause 60 (added by IEEE Std 802.3bk-2013), providing P2MP 10 Gbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:64.
- 25GBASE
and
50GBASE
added by IEEE Std 802.3ca-2020, providing P2MP 25 Gbit/s Ethernet links over PONs, at the distance of at least 20 km, at the split of at least 1:32. 50 Gbit/s to a single end-point is achieved by using two different wavelengths of light.
Additionally clause 57 defines link-level OA&M, including discovery, link monitoring, remote fault indication, loopbacks, and variable access.
2BASE-TL
[
edit
]
2BASE-TL
is an
IEEE 802.3-2008
Physical Layer (
PHY
) specification for a
full-duplex
long-reach
point-to-point
Ethernet
link over
voice-grade copper
wiring.
[27]
[28]
Rates and distances
[
edit
]
Unlike
10/100/1000
PHYs, providing a single rate of 10, 100, or 1000
Mbit/s
, the 2BASE-TL link rate can vary, depending on the copper media characteristics (such as length, wire diameter or
gauge
, number of pairs if the link is aggregated, amount of
crosstalk
between the pairs, etc.), desired link parameters (such as desired
SNR
margin, Power Back-Off, etc.), and regional spectral limitations.
2BASE-TL PHYs deliver a minimum of 2
Mbit/s
over distances of up to 2.7 kilometres (8,900 ft), using
ITU-T
G.991.2
(G.SHDSL.bis) technology over a single copper pair. These PHYs may also support an optional aggregation or bonding of multiple copper pairs, called
PME Aggregation Function
(PAF).
For a single pair, the minimum possible link
bitrate
is 192
kbit/s
(3 x 64 kbit/s) and the maximum bitrate is 5.7 Mbit/s (89 x 64 kbit/s). On a 0.5 mm wire with 3
dB
noise margin and no spectral limitations, the max bitrate can be achieved over distances of up to 1 kilometre (3,300 ft). At 6 kilometres (20,000 ft) the maximum achievable bitrate is about 850 kbit/s.
The
throughput
of a 2BASE-TL link is lower than the link's bitrate by an average 5%, due to 64/65-octet encoding and PAF overhead; both factors depend on packet size.
[29]
10PASS-TS
[
edit
]
10PASS-TS
is an
IEEE 802.3-2008
Physical Layer (
PHY
) specification for a
full-duplex
short-reach
point-to-point
Ethernet
link over
voice-grade copper
wiring.
10PASS-TS PHYs deliver a minimum of 10
Mbit/s
over distances of up to 750 metres (2,460 ft), using
ITU-T
G.993.1
(
VDSL
) technology over a single copper pair. These PHYs may also support an optional aggregation or bonding of multiple copper pairs, called
PME Aggregation Function
(PAF).
Details
[
edit
]
Unlike other
Ethernet physical layers
that provide a single rate such as 10, 100, or 1000 Mbit/s, the 10PASS-TS link rate can vary, similar to
2BASE-TL
, depending on the copper channel characteristics, such as length, wire diameter (
gauge
), wiring quality, the number of pairs if the link is aggregated and other factors.
VDSL is a short range technology designed to provide broadband over distances less than 1 km of
voice-grade copper
twisted pair
line, but connection data rates deteriorate quickly as the line distance increases. This has led to VDSL being referred to as a "
fiber to the curb
" technology, because it requires fiber
backhaul
to connect with a carrier network over greater distances.
VDSL Ethernet in the first mile services using may be a useful way to standardise functionality on
metro Ethernet
networks, or potentially to distribute internet access services over voice-grade wiring in
multi-dwelling unit
buildings. However,
VDSL2
has already proven to be a versatile and faster standard with greater reach than VDSL.
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Wang, K.; Mas Machuca, C.; Wosinska, L.; Urban, P. J.; Gavler, A.; Brunnstrom, K.; Chen, J. (2017).
"Techno-Economic Analysis of Active Optical Network Migration Toward Next-Generation Optical Access"
.
Journal of Optical Communications and Networking
.
9
(4): 327.
doi
:
10.1364/JOCN.9.000327
.
S2CID
18604241
.
- ^
a
b
Patrick H. Stanley (January 8, 2001).
"Robust Ethernet in the First Mile"
(PDF)
. Elastic Networks, Inc
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
Laura Kujubu (April 6, 1998).
"Nortel forms EtherLoop group"
.
InfoWorld
. p. 46
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
Bob Metcalfe
(March 9, 1998).
"Nortel combines best of DSL with best of Ethernet for 10Mbps Internet access"
.
InfoWorld
. p. 139
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
"EtherLoop, Serial Number: 75560747"
. US Patent and Trademark office. September 28, 1998
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
"Paradyne Gets Elastic"
.
Light Reading news release
. December 28, 2001
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
"Elastic Networks Elite Modem Installation Guide"
(PDF)
. Elastic Networks, Inc. November 1999
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
"Fiberhood Networks"
.
company web site
. Archived from
the original
on September 22, 2001
. Retrieved
August 16,
2011
.
- ^
Michael Silverton
(March 3, 2001).
"Ethernet in the first mile"
(PDF)
. Retrieved
August 16,
2011
.
- ^
"Infineon's Octal-10BaseS Ethernet over QAM-VDSL Selected by Telson I&C to Enable Broadband Access in Nationwide Korean MTU/MDU Deployment"
.
News release
. Infineon Technologies AG. July 2, 2002. Archived from
the original
on April 13, 2014
. Retrieved
August 27,
2011
.
- ^
"Infineon Strengthens Leadership in MDU/MTU Market with Ethernet over VDSL Technology Patent Award"
.
News release
. Infineon Technologies AG. January 8, 2001. Archived from
the original
on April 13, 2001
. Retrieved
August 27,
2011
.
- ^
"Infineon Announces Second Quarter Results"
.
News release
. Infineon Technologies. April 24, 2001
. Retrieved
August 28,
2011
.
...strategic design-win with Cisco for new long range Ethernet products incorporating Infineon?'s 10BaseS? technology
- ^
"Cisco Long-Reach Ethernet Solution"
(PDF)
. Cisco Systems, Inc. May 22, 2002
. Retrieved
August 27,
2011
.
- ^
James Evans (February 20, 2001).
"Cisco Offers New Long-Reach Ethernet: No new wiring needed; system uses existing phone lines"
.
PC World
. Archived from
the original
on January 20, 2010
. Retrieved
August 28,
2011
.
- ^
Howard Frazier (October 12, 2000).
"
"Ethernet in the Last Mile" Call for Interest"
. IEEE 802.3
. Retrieved
August 6,
2011
.
- ^
"Extreme Launches Ethernet Alliance"
.
Light Reading news release
. December 11, 2001
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
Hugh Barrass (July 9, 2001).
"EFM Copper Objective"
(PDF)
. IEEE 802.3
. Retrieved
August 28,
2011
.
- ^
"MEF Absorbs EFMA"
.
Light Reading news release
. March 8, 2005
. Retrieved
August 15,
2011
.
- ^
"10Gb/s Ethernet Passive Optical Network"
.
official working group web site
. IEEE 802
. Retrieved
August 6,
2011
.
- ^
"IEEE P802.3bk Extended EPON Task Force"
.
- ^
IEEE Std 802.3bk-2013, IEEE Standard for Ethernet - Amendment 1: Physical Layer Specifications and Management Parameters for Extended Ethernet Passive Optical Networks
. IEEE. 2013.
- ^
"IEEE 802.3ca-2020 - IEEE Standard for Ethernet Amendment 9"
. IEEE. 2020-07-03.
- ^
Knittle, Curtis (2020-07-23).
"25G/50G-EPON Standard Crosses the Finish Line ? Enhancing Fiber Deployments as Part of Cable's 10G Platform"
. CableLabs.
- ^
Gerry Pesavento (July 9, 2001).
"Point to Multipoint Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON)"
(PDF)
. IEEE 802.3
. Retrieved
August 28,
2011
.
- ^
Yaakov (Jonathan) Stein (2006).
"Ethernet OAM"
(PDF)
.
White paper
. RAD Data Communications Ltd
. Retrieved
August 6,
2011
.
- ^
"FTTH Council - Definition of Terms"
(PDF)
. FTTH Council. January 9, 2009. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on September 24, 2017
. Retrieved
September 1,
2011
.
- ^
IEEE 802.3ah
? Ethernet in the First Mile Task Force archive
- ^
"Metro Ethernet Forum"
. Archived from
the original
on 2014-04-10
. Retrieved
2014-04-17
.
- ^
Philip Golden; Herve Dedieu; Krista S. Jacobsen, eds. (2008). "Table 13.6".
Implementation and Applications of DSL Technology
. Auerbach Publications.
ISBN
978-0849334238
.
Further reading
[
edit
]
External links
[
edit
]
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Speeds
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General
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Organizations
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Media
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Historic
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Applications
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Transceivers
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Interfaces
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Symmetric
| ANSI / ETSI / ITU-T
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Proprietary
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Asymmetric
| ANSI / ETSI / ITU-T
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Proprietary
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Related
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