t access to the Internet's core as well as serving as a common point of interconnection among numerous IIC networks. Backbone providers also "backhaul" other IICs' traffic, moving it from one IIC's switching center to another. From a supply chain perspective, backbone networks, like the Internet, provide deliverable services and also serve as transport mechanisms for eBusiness data and transactions. Backbone services include leased circuits, ATM, frame relay, and any other services that move a lot of traffic across a geographic area. In addition, wave division multiplexing technologies are increasing backhaul network capacity geometrically and are becoming increasingly important to the Internet's core. Such high capacity multiplexing and switching technologies will provide the network foundation on which advanced, bandwidth-hungry services will be built. Ethernet is another technology area that has advanced significantly and can be considered critical to backbone networks. Generally, Ethernet technologies are applied to local or campus networks. Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet technologies also are being used for larger networks in metropolitan areas and other regional networks. Chapter 3 - Automating the Internet Infrastructure Supply Chain Vendors and equipment providers. When it comes down to it, all networks are just a bunch of expensive hardware and software connected with tons of copper wires, coaxial cable, fiber optics and SO on. There are thousands of equipment vendors that supply everything from massive Internet core routers to circuit switches to Ethernet cards to telephone jacks. Similarly, hundreds of software vendors develop everything from OSS applications to development tools to service creation environments. It is upon these vendors and their ability to continually innovate and adjust to changing market demands that the entire supply chain relies. Vendors must deliver the equipment that delivers services, as well as create and enhance software to manage it all. OSS. As we've discuss