About the MEF
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MEF OVERVIEW
About the MEF … The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is a global industry alliance comprising more than 145 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable operators, MSOs, network equipment, test vendors, labs and software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations.
Purpose The MEF develops technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.
Mission The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services.
Objectives
1. Build consensus and unite service providers, equipment vendors and end customers on Ethernet service definition, technical specifications and interoperability.
2. Facilitate implementation of existing and new standards, Ethernet service definition, test procedures and technical specifications of the MEF to allow delivery of Ethernet services and make Carrier Ethernet-based core, metro and access networks truly carrier class.
3. Enhance worldwide awareness of the benefits of Ethernet services, enabled applications and Ethernet based networks.
Priorities and Scope
The primary priorities of the MEF are to define:
a.
 Ethernet Services for metro transport networks
•
 Such services shall be delivered over native Ethernet-based Metro networks and could also be supported by other transport technologies.
b.
 Carrier-class Ethernet-based metro transport technologies by:
•
 Specifying architecture, protocols and management for Ethernet-based metro transport networks
•
 Supporting such Ethernet Services
The secondary priorities of the MEF are (when deemed necessary) to define:
a.
 Work to be done by other organizations on other transport technologies
b.
 Non-Ethernet interfaces, if not defined by other organizations.
MEF Deliverables

1. Implementation Agreements  on existing standards
2.   Test Procedures
3.   Position Statements to  propose new standards for existing standards bodies
4.   Technical Specifications of new standards in the MEF
5.   Marketing evangelism and collateral
6.   Certification Program
7.   Education Programs and Demonstrations
8.   Practical examples of Implementation of Carrier Ethernet

How it works

The MEF technical and marketing committees lead and organize the voluntary participation of member company representatives. The work of the members is supplemented by a small number of contractors.

Most members send representatives to MEF Quarterly member meetings held in North America and Europe.
History & Milestones

2001

  
•  
 The MEF was formed in 2001 to develop ubiquitous business services for Enterprise users principally accessed over optical metropolitan networks to connect their Enterprise LANs
•  
 Founded by Nan Chen (founding President) and Ron Young (Chairman 2001- 2003) with 16 initial member companies. Bob Klessig and Paul Bottorf lead the Technical committee. Mark Whalley appointed VP of Marketing

2002

  
•  
 First Technology demonstration of Ethernet Services at Supercomm 2003
2003
  
•  
 MEF Board Expands. Mark Fishburn appointed Chairman of the Board (2003-2006)
•  
 First MEF Specification published
•  
 Bill Bjorkman joins as Technical Committee Co-chair
2004
  
•  
 Eight specifications published
•  
 Bob Metcalfe joins as Advisory director
•  
 First Large Multi-vendor demonstration of Ethernet Services at SuperComm Chicago
•  
 Daniel Bar-Lev appointed Marketing Co-Chair
2005
    
•  
 Definition of Carrier Ethernet
Standardized Services
•  
 Definition of MEF Certification program
Scalability
•  
 Three MEF Specifications published
Reliability
•  
 Adoption of the MEF Certification Program
Quality of Service
•  
 Worldwide services traversing national and global networks
Service Management
•  
 Access networks to provide availability to a much wider class of user over fiber, copper, cable, PON, and wireless
•  
 Economy of scale from the resulting converged business, residential and wireless networks sharing the same infrastructure and services
•  
 MEF introduces Carrier Ethernet Service Provider of the Year awards for North America. This expands to Europe and Asia
•  
 Scalability & rapid deployment of business applications
•  
 Large Multi-vendor demonstration of Carrier Ethernet at Globalcomm
 
  
2006
  
•  
 Mike Tighe appointed as Chairman of the Board
•  
 Appointment of Kevin Vachon as COO as first professional management of the MEF
•  
 Rapid Expansion of membership to over 100 members
•  
 Expansion from Metro to Access and Wireless Networks
•  
 Carrier Ethernet Attributes defined
•  
 Two new MEF specifications published
 
  

2007

  
•  
 Carrier Ethernet launched in India
•  
 320 Systems, 45 Equipment Manufacturers, 17 Service Providers Certified
•  
 Three new MEF Specifications published
•  
 Louise Wasileswki appointed Co-Chair of Marketing
2008  
•  
 Following retirement of founding Technical Chair, Bob Klessig, Paul Bottorff returns as Techncial Committee co-chair.
•  
 Marketing now organized under three regional chairs
•  
 Expansion of Carrier Ethernet into Mobile Backhaul Networks
•  
 Membership exceeds 150



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