| The choices of dedicated bandwidth solutions for | | | | of bonded T1 lines or fractional DS3 circuits. Also, since |
| business networks today is as varied as the menu at | | | | some configuration options are delivered over regular |
| your favorite fancy restaurant. You could see bonded | | | | copper phone lines, they normally do not require |
| T1 lines (NxT1), DS3 bandwidth circuits, SONET (Optical | | | | build-out. For this reason, they can often be installed for |
| Carrier Series such as OC3), Metro-Ethernet (e.g. | | | | free, whereas other Ethernet options often require |
| Business Ethernet at 10 - 1000 mbps), MPLS, and much | | | | build-out for buildings which are not lit. A third |
| more. | | | | advantage of Business Ethernet is that it requires far |
| Making a selection can be just as confusing especially | | | | less sophisticated customer premise routing equipment. |
| if you really don't understand the language the menu is | | | | An ethernet configuration provides a handoff that |
| written in. You're hungry (or in this case your | | | | does not require expensive CSU/DSUs that are |
| company's data/voice network is)..... and all you care | | | | required for customer interfacing with T1 or DS3 lines. |
| about is getting that hunger fed! | | | | Additionally depending on the delivery technology used |
| Besides the variety in bandwidth "menu" items to | | | | Business Ethernet also can be more reliable and have |
| choose from, you have to deal with variety of price | | | | a greater redundancy than the alternatives. |
| and performance. Which is "best" for your specific | | | | Now for the caveat all forms of Business Ethernet |
| situation? What do you (sic your company) have a | | | | (e.g. Metro Ethernet) are dependent on local access. |
| taste for AND what are you willing to pay to get that | | | | The limiting factor is that Business Ethernet requires |
| satisfied? | | | | special forms of wiring, or fiber. Buildings which have |
| Therein lies the 2 main questions that need to be | | | | this special wiring, or fiber running to them, are referred |
| answered to make the right selection for you. You can | | | | to as "lit" buildings. To light an unlit building, "build-out" |
| narrow your decision making process down to these. | | | | often is needed. Build-out is often extremely expensive. |
| One - what network requirements does the bandwidth | | | | Imagine the costs of running fiber from the local central |
| solution chosen need to meet. And two - is the | | | | office (CO) to a specific business location, often |
| associated cost of that solution within your budget. | | | | several miles. That can quickly run up your bill putting |
| After all, what you choose has to "fill you up". Plus, | | | | you in danger of "washing the dishes". In rare |
| unlike when the cost of your fancy meal exceeds the | | | | occasions, some providers will waive this cost in return |
| contents of your wallet, you can't work it off "doing the | | | | for very long contracts, or recuperate it with higher |
| dishes". | | | | monthly costs. If your business location happens to be |
| Here's a few tips to help.... | | | | within a mile of a lit CO, then build-out costs might be |
| The majority of today's growing businesses can | | | | justified for very large bandwidth pipes. For buildings |
| narrow the items they look at on the menu to 2.... | | | | which are already lit, and for collocation facilities, |
| Business Ethernet and DS3 bandwidth circuits. Others | | | | Business Ethernet can offer extreme savings per |
| may be appropriate under certain circumstances but | | | | mbps of bandwidth. |
| by far these are the 2 best fits for most company | | | | The bottom line take-away here is that with the |
| data/voice networks. Both of these will meet most | | | | growing availability of Business Ethernet it is the logical |
| any requirement you'll have and both are very cost | | | | choice. IF it is available at the location(s) you need |
| effective in today's market (more on that later). | | | | serviced. That's a big if.... so make sure you do |
| So this makes things simpler choose between | | | | thorough research on Business Ethernet availability at |
| Business Ethernet and DS3 bandwidth for your solution | | | | your desired location(s). Or better yet.... get help to do it. |
| core. | | | | As for DS3 bandwidth circuits A DS3 line is an ultra |
| You will obviously want flexibility, simplicity and | | | | high-speed connection capable of transmitting data at |
| scalability in your chosen technology enabling you to | | | | rates up to 45 Mbps. A DS3 line is equal to |
| converge your networks and achieve economies of | | | | approximately 672 regular voice-grade telephone lines, |
| scale and innovation. This is the requirements that the | | | | which is fast enough to transmit full-motion, real-time |
| choice must meet or what you pick off the menu | | | | video, and very large databases over a busy network. |
| must "feed". Both Business Ethernet and DS3 | | | | DS3 bandwidth is the common choice by businesses |
| bandwidth will meet these requirements but they still | | | | who have outgrown old T1 line networks and require |
| have differences to consider. | | | | high-bandwidth access at a reduced price. |
| With that in mind think of it this way. What DSL did for | | | | The advantages of a DS3 bandwidth based network |
| residential customers, Business Ethernet does for | | | | solution are that it's widely available, it's a proven |
| enterprises. Ethernet is broadband for businesses and | | | | technology that is easily integrated into today's newer |
| with it, you'll become more efficient and competitive. | | | | network configuration options, AND the price has |
| Network interfacing and scalability are smoother and | | | | dropped dramatically in recent years making DS3 |
| more transparent. Business Ethernet also is provided | | | | more competitive on price point than at any time in the |
| with the same service level guarantees offered with | | | | past. |
| other network bandwidth solutions. Such as the all | | | | Now that you've had the menu interpreted for you...... |
| important SLA (Service Level Agreement) and Qos | | | | To make the best choice you can boil it all down to |
| (Quality of Service). | | | | this decision approach if Business Ethernet is available; |
| By far the greatest advantage of Business Ethernet is | | | | get it. If it is not available opt for a DS3 bandwidth |
| price. The monthly cost can be as much as one-half of | | | | based solution package. |
| the price of equivalent bandwidth delivered in the form | | | | |