Metro Ethernet and Fiber are two wired technologies used in telecommunications.
Metro Ethernet is an Ethernet transport network that utilizes either Fiber optics or copper cables to transmit data within a Metropolitan Area.
On the other hand, Fiber refers to the cable itself used in transmitting internet or data from one end to another. Fiber can be used in various network like in Metropolitan Area network, Wide Area Network or Within a Local area network.
Metro Ethernet vs Fiber: 7 Key Differences
- Metro Ethernet is an Ethernet service that provides high-speed data connectivity while Fiber is a physical cable used to transmit data over long distances.
- Metro Ethernet is a broad term that encompasses the cables, switches, routers, and other network equipment involved in providing the Ethernet service, while fiber is a more specific term that refers exclusively to the type of cable used in Ethernet service.
- Metro Ethernet is designed to offer high-bandwidth data transport service within a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), while Fiber is a transmission medium used in various communications coverages, including local area networks (LANs), Metropolitan area networks, and wide area networks.
- Scope of Application: Metro Ethernet is an ethernet service used for interconnecting buildings within a city or metropolitan area, while Fiber can be deployed in a network that interconnects a community, city, state, country, or region that spans higher distances.
- Speed and Bandwidth: Metro Ethernet can offer high-speed connectivity, usually ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, depending on the network’s infrastructure and service provider, while Fiber can support higher speeds, potentially reaching terabits per second in certain scenarios.
- Deployment and Costs: Metro Ethernet is generally more expensive because it involves the procurement and installation of Ethernet switches and routers used in the metropolitan Area network, while fiber only involves the cost of laying and maintaining the physical cables. Fiber deployment costs can vary depending on the scale and distance covered.
- Technological Nature: Metro Ethernet is an Ethernet-based technology that follows the IEEE 802.3 standard for data transmission while Fiber is just physical medium through which data is transmitted, and it can support various protocols and technologies, including Ethernet.
Conclusion
Metro Ethernet and Fiber are two complementary components of an Ethernet service. Metro Ethernet serves as a specific type of high-speed data transport within a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), while Fiber is the physical cable that facilitates the distribution of Ethernet services, not only within a metropolitan area but also across Local Area Networks (LANs) and even Wide Area Networks (WANs).
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