| With the advent of the full-fledged broadband age, there has been a surge in demand for wide-area Ethernet that has made it possible to build fast, high-capacity networks at lower cost. To support the rapid growth in broadband access through ADSL*1 and FTTH*2, more and more carriers have been keen on adopting wide-area Ethernet networks to MANs*3 and RANs*4 (the backbones of broadband networks) these days, due to their outstanding cost effectiveness. Similarly, an increasing number of companies are upgrading their information infrastructure from conventional leased lines to VPNs*5 through the use of less expensive wide-area Ethernet networks (hereinafter "Ethernet WAN"). |
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| While the range of Ethernet applications extends to mission-critical areas like these carrier lines and corporate networks, there is a growing need for increased Ethernet reliability. Originally developed for relatively small networks such as those used within offices or factories, the Ethernet standard allows for implementation of high-speed communications lines at lower cost, but cannot surpass existing backbone network technologies such as SONET/SDH*6,7 and ATM*8 in terms of consistency of communications quality, equipment reliability, and ensured security as provided through detailed system management. To meet such user needs ahead of the competition, Hitachi Cable is now pursuing greater reliability, utilizing the new concept of a "Managed Ethernet" to surpass the bounds of existing Ethernet technologies. |
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*1 ADSL = Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
*2 FTTH = Fiber To The Home
*3 MAN = Metropolitan Area Network
*4 RAN = Regional Area Network
*5 VPN = Virtual Private Network
*6 SONET = Synchronous Optical Network
*7 SDH = Synchronous Digital Hirerarchy
*8 ATM = Asynchronous Transmission Mode |
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