Marlet drivers and implementation options for 100-GBE transport over the WAN

Growth of IP-based traffic in enterprise, LAN, server, core routing and carrier/WAN transport has not only led core router links to exceed 10 Gb/s but in many cases to approach 100 Gb/s. In response, the IEEE 802.3 Working Group initiated the development of new standards for high-speed Ethernet at 40 Gb/s and 100 Gb/s. This article provides an overview of the market drivers for 100-Gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) in carrier and WAN applications, primarily driven by the need for greater trunk capacity to interconnect routers. The technology options for enabling WAN transport of 100 GbE over long-distance networks are described, along with standardization efforts and new technologies for cost-effective, reliable and managed transport. Finally, a pre-standard demonstration is presented of 100-Gb/s Ethernet transported over a 4000-km-long network.