In continuing our review of where we’ve been – and where we’re going – Steve happened across a “wish list” from the beginning of the decade. These were primarily oriented to Frame Relay, but they applied to the general landscape as well. So let’s look at each of these and see how they match up with where we are today.
Also watch: End-of-the-decade technology quiz
1) Higher speed access to frame services, including a mixture of multilink frame relay (MFR), inverse multiplexing over ATM (IMA) coupled with frame relay to ATM interworking, and proprietary bit-based methods;
This really takes us back – not all the way to 212a modems – but a long way. Ten years ago, a T-1/E-1 line was the norm for access and T-3/E-3 access services were considered to be really high-speed. Obviously driven by consumer-based services, a home-office worked – or a casual surfer – can now expect to have access speeds on the order of 5M to 8Mbps.
2) A movement to next generation access methods, including frame over DSL and frame over cable modem, plus wireless and satellite access.
Done. Except the access is mostly to the Internet now. In fact, our recent research showed that roughly two-thirds of enterprises have “Some, Quite a bit, or Extensive” use of “Internet-based VPNs with DSL/cable for access.”
3) Less expensive services in order to continue to compete head-on with Internet-based IP VPNs;
Not sure this ever really happened. Instead, the Internet has proved to be (so far!) more resilient than many of us ever would have predicted.
4) Service interworking with IP-based services, including a range of “IP Aware” services to allow frame-based and IP-based services to coexist with each optimized for its strengths.
Hmmm… Seems as if IP is the standardized service now. And frame relay and ATM services are “not at all” in use by over half of enterprises.
5) Standardized Class of Service (CoS) and Quality of Service (QoS) options to provide differentiated services that are comparable on an apples-to apples basis.
That one still would be nice.
Next newsletter we’ll move from looking backward to where we are to taking a look at where we may be going – based on this historical context.
