WHAT IS WIDE AREA ETHERNET (WAE)?

Wide Area Ethernet offers organisations the option of long distance, UK-wide Ethernet connections. Bandwidth is scaleable from 2Mbps to 1,000Mbps, and is capable of delivering point-to-point and/or point-to-multi-point connectivity. Wide Area Ethernet is replacing Frame Relay and ATM as the connectivity option of choice for multi-site VPNs.

WHY DO I NEED WIDE AREA ETHERNET?

End to end Ethernet solutions offer the same access performance and simple connectivity between remote sites that organisations currently enjoy within their LANs. People, applications and information assets are quickly and easily accessible wherever they are based, in a secure, efficient and cost-effective manner.

High speed, high capacity and sustainable cost offering:

•  Effective real-time working between employees with the fast transmission of even the largest files.

•  Deployment of distributed applications throughout an organisation

•  Secure, centralised storage of business critical data with fast and easy access from any location.

•  Establishment of robust disaster recovery solutions.

Minimising cost and maximising efficiency:

•  Extending Ethernet connectivity means companies can finally integrate Wide Area and Local Area Networks into a single, easily managed corporate network without the need for routing equipment and router maintenance.

•  Integrating networks means expensive resources can be efficiently and effectively shared at minimal cost.

Business continuity achieved through consolidated IT networks:

•  Consolidated IT networks are inherently more robust and more easily managed than fragmented ones.

•  Company database content can be easily backed up to a secondary location to meet disaster recovery requirements

Lower equipment costs:

•  Ethernet equipment is cheaper than routing equipment for the same throughput

•  No investment is required in routing equipment

Lower bandwidth costs:

•  Ethernet provides the most cost effective, wide area bandwidth connection available

•  Customers can select the bandwidth appropriate to their needs, with easy upgrade options that don't involve the costly fibre replacement

•  Control costs by only paying for bandwidth required, but retain the flexibility to upgrade (or downgrade) in line with fluctuating business requirements

Lower capital costs through office and server consolidation:

•  Corporate connectivity ensures full support of all business functions, regardless of location

•  Geography is no longer a constraint when locating IT and other support services.

WHAT WIDE AREA ETHERNET GUARANTEES DOES PROGRESSIVE NETWORKS OFFER?

Wide Area Ethernet is supported by an extensive Service Level Agreement, which includes:

• Guaranteed Ready For Service dates
• 24x7 helpline with a 6hr Fault Restoration guarantee, which includes any faults detected by Progressive Networks
• Annual Availability guarantee backed by Service Credits for any failure to meet these targets

Typical network performance guarantees:

• Round trip delay less than 8mS
• Jitter less than 1mS