 systems. Virtual LANs (VLANs) are covered. Surveys of new data-oriented standards and their applications are provided, specifically, a survey of the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP). A short discussion on architectures with an eye to service availability is also included. The ELECs utilize GbE and VLAN techniques to deliver their services; hence, at this point in the book, a quick assessment of their approach is provided. Further chapters continue this discussion on even newer protocols by delving into the evolving Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) work, as well as examining 10 Gigabit Ethernet and exploring the question if carrier-class Ethernet services can emerge as a common bearer. A chapter also dis- cusses the Fibre Channel Standard and its support over WANs. The book also looks at a brand-new initiative to expand Ethernet to residential and SOHO applications; this is known as the Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) initiative. An acronym list is also provided to ensure that the reader has a built-in reference for the expanded names of many of the frequently used acronyms within the book. Preface/Acknowledgments Note that we have chosen to avoid an up-front discussion on the myr- iad of academic architectures that are or have been advanced, and pursue long taxonomies; we cover the issue of architecture within the context of each technology, and only focus on those architectures that show real near-term commercial possibilities. Also note that we have drawn information and concepts from various industry sources, which we acknowledge and thank at this juncture. Our value, we hope, is to assimilate, evaluate, highlight, pare down, compare, order by importance, and classify these technologies, alternatives, and pro- posals in terms of real utility in building a network for a new-generation telco that brings positive net income to the bottom line over a short busi- ness cycle. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank Data Connection Ltd., and specifically thank white paper authors Neil Jerram and Adrian Farrel