Special Section on the Next Generation Ethernet Technologies

Ethernet is being applied to the Local Area Network field due to its low cost, and easy installation and operation. Because IP centric communication has been adopted widely, a recent trend is the application of Ethernet to Wide Area Networks to form the transport networks needed for IP communication. For example, recent optical access networks for FTTH and leased line networks for business users are based on Ethernet technologies. However, Ethernet has some problems which should be resolve if we are to realize truly effective Wide Area Networks. The goals include stronger operation and maintenance systems, more detailed network management, and QoS control functions. Some standardization committees and academic societies have started discussions on these problems. Therefore, the Technical Committee on Communication Systems of Communication Society in IEICE organized a special issue to examine the current status in detail; it discusses the future issues and proposes solutions.