Ethernet: Metro Optical Ethernet (QMOE)

Decreasing cost, flexibility and cost-effective bandwidth

The use of copper and fiber networks to provide native Ethernet service in a metropolitan area/wide area network (MAN/WAN) has been shown to give greater service flexibility while simultaneously decreasing costs, as compared to carrying an equivalent bandwidth on traditional synchronous optical network (SONET)-based networks. In addition to being less expensive than SONET, these networks allow you to upgrade and increase speeds very quickly. What's more, granularity of service means that, unlike SONET, you can obtain precisely the bandwidth you need. In summary, Qwest^® Metro Optical Ethernet (QMOE^™) gives you the opportunity to gain cost-effective bandwidth with multiple locations or key vendor relationships in select metropolitan areas.

Description

Qwest^® Metro Optical Ethernet service combines the power of Ethernet and optical technologies across MANs to provide low-cost, scalable and secure bandwidth. QMOE provides local area network (LAN)-to-LAN connectivity between two or more customer locations within a metro area and is suitable for data applications that include data file transfer, Internet access, off-site data storage and access to hosting, outsourced mail and file server service, and outsourced application service. The service is also well-suited to voice and video applications.

Metro Optical Ethernet Features

Standout features of QMOE include the following:

• Point-to-point and multipoint service configurations
• Central office connectivity with SST, SHNS, GeoMax^® and colocations
• Bandwidth options from 5 Mbps to 1 Gbps
• Secure and reliable service, with service level agreement (SLA) goals of up to 99.999 percent availability with quality of service (QoS)
• Traffic not restricted to dedicated SONET bandwidth increments
• A completely meshed native Ethernet network
• QoS is an option that provides four ways to prioritize traffic and an SLA goal of 99.999 percent availability on the highest level
• Multiple Ethernet virtual connections (EVCs) allow one port to support multiple EVCs
• Protect Route physically separates the working and protect data links and provides an SLA goal of 99.99 percent availability.

Contact us for more information

Benefits of Metro Optical Ethernet

QMOE^™ offers you the following benefits:

• Cost effective—Qwest^® Metro Optical Ethernet bandwidth can be less expensive than traditional time division multiplexing (TDM) services. You have the potential to reduce your total cost of ownership by eliminating the need for specialized WAN support expertise, reducing the cost of WAN equipment with lower cost Ethernet switches and routers, as well as consolidating server/facilities.
• Flexibility—scalable bandwidth increments let you pay only for what you need.
• Productivity enhancing—may also increase your productivity by enabling virtual work groups across a metropolitan area (i.e., you gain connectivity–both internally and externally-to those entities you regularly communicate with; for example, your suppliers).
• Quick turnaround—easily upgradeable; your service can typically be up and running within four business days after service order and acceptance.
• Reliability—Service has a standard 99.9 percent SLA availability objective, which increases to up to 99.999 percent with purchase of optional QoS, or 99.99 percent with optional Protect Route.

How Metro Optical Ethernet Works

QMOE provides local area network LAN-to-LAN connectivity between two or more locations within a metro area. The QMOE solution is based on distributed Layer 2 switching and shared transport data bandwidth. The local loop that extends to the customer premises can typically be provided via either fiber or copper facilities (where available). Service is available in buildings served by disclosed wire centers throughout the Qwest 14-state local service area.