Fiber Too Expensive? Try EoC

As business applications become more and more demanding and dependent on IP and Ethernet protocols, Carrier Ethernet has emerged as the WAN technology of choice for enterprise access.  Carrier Ethernet promises an efficient, simple, scalable and cost-effective solution whether you are using it for dedicated internet access, connections to cloud applications, or VPN. 

Ethernet for business applications is estimated to grow substantially through 2015.  Of course, fiber optic connectivity is the preferred method service, but Ethernet over Copper (EoC) has become a strategic choice as well for its competitive price and service.  There are a few main reasons why companies may choose EoC, among them :

1.  It’s Ethernet.  Some new technologies promising broadband service may only be used for internet access or basic voice service.  Ethernet meets business-class symmetric service requirements, providing scalable, reliable and manageable features.  EoC delivers the service businesses have come to expect. 

2.  Fiber options may be very limited.  Currently only about 30% of businesses have access to fiber.  The cost to upgrade is very expensive, and it takes anywhere from 6-18 months to install.  Many companies do not want to wait that long, or invest so much money in the service.  Most facilities are connected to the legacy copper voice network, which makes it easy to transition to EoC in a matter of weeks.  Many providers have found they can increase speeds ten-fold with EoC, which may be enough for most companies.

3.  EoC is on par with fiber.  Nearly all service providers have multiple service classes, including many premium products,  in order to deliver the customer experience your company needs.  Most of them are able to provide a service equal to fiber-based Ethernet services.

4. Innovations in technology have advanced EoC capabilities.  New generations of EoC edge and aggregation equipment have increased capabilities to over 15 Mbps symmetric per copper pair, and providers can now deploy 200+ Mbps Ethernet.  This gives you the service at a fraction of the cost. 

The popularity of carrier Ethernet for business WAN service creates the demand that can’t be completely met with fiber.  Advances in EoC give businesses a good alternative that provides equal service at a fraction of the cost.

Security and the Cloud

The move from a traditional IT computing solution to the cloud can leave some mid to large companies wondering how their traditional IT department fits into the new environment.  Many functions that have traditionally been done by IT groups are now being offered as part of the cloud solution.  This can bring up a myriad of issues and questions as companies decide which services to keep in house and which should move to the cloud, and how to best orchestrate the transfer. 

As the cloud services are constantly evolving, it really may seem like all of the services or solutions that the IT department once supported are covered by the cloud.  Some of the newest cloud services offer VoIP, unified communications, network and application optimization, security and management.  This new set of solutions may pose a new challenge for IT groups within your organization.  As your IT department still is being asked to support your current needs, it is also having to determine which functions can be moved to the cloud, quite possibly moving itself into oblivion.

Security concerns are the primary deterrent to the adaptation of a public cloud solution.  Therefore, when evaluating this move, your organization will need to determine whether a move to the cloud will eliminate, or at the very least minimize, any negative aspects of public cloud computing.  A careful evaluation of the security of the cloud provider’s facilities is a crucial part of evaluating the overall solution.  

Your organization will need to determine whether the provider can maintain compliance with any corporate and regulatory standards, while still being cost effective in terms of shared infrastructure and improved operational efficiency.  Making this task more difficult is that there is no widely accepted framework for the security of a cloud environment.  Your organization should be sure to ask potential suppliers what the results of any outside security audits they may have had were, and/or to also provide references from any existing clients that may have the same security requirements.