MEF Network Foundations

Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) Network Foundations (NF) is the foundation credential in a stack of professional-level certifications called the MEF Network Certification Framework.

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The MEF Network Foundations course is designed to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of modern networking concepts, particularly those related to Carrier Ethernet and emerging network technologies. MEF

Understand digital transformation occuring within the industry.
Discover the building blocks of Software Defined Networking (SDN).
Examine the fundamentals of Telco Cloud & Network Virtualization.
Investigate SD-WAN concept and use cases.
Understand Lifecycle Services Orchestration (LSO) and accompanying orchestration / automation tools.
Explore the connected ecosystem of standards bodies (SDOs) and open source projects.
Recap Layer 2 & Layer 3 connectivity including MEF Carrier Ethernet.
Gain understanding of the MEF3.0 NaaS vision.

Software Defined Network (SDN) Concepts
- Understand digital transformation occuring within the industry.
- Key Characteristics of an SDN Solution.
- Overlay Protocol.
- Virtual Machine.
- STT (Stateless Transport Tunneling Protocol).
- Major Challenges Presented by the Move to an SDN Network.
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Concepts
- NFV Concepts: Virtualization.
- Key Characteristics of an NFV Solution.
- Virtual / Universal Customer Premises Equipment.
- SDN & NFV Security Considerations.
- Major Benefits of an NFV Solution.
- Major Challenges Presented by Moving to an NFV Solution.
- How NFV Technologies Relate (NFV & MANO).
- How NFV Would be Applied to Leverage Its Benefits.
- Post Module Q&A.
LSO Orchestration Concepts
- LSO (Lifecycle Service Orchestration) Key Definitions.
- MEF 3.0 Reference Architecture.
- How Various Technologies Relate.
- Key Characteristics of an Orchestrated Solution.
- Major Benefits of an Orchestrated Solution.
- How LSO Would be Implemented to Leverage Its Benefits.
Carrier Ethernet Concepts
- Introduction.
- Major Building Blocks of Carrier-Based Connectivity Services.
- Carrier Basic Terminology & Service Definitions.
- Carrier Ethernet Service Attributes.
- OVC Service Constructs.
- Wholesale Services.
- Carrier Ethernet Service Attributes.
- Bandwidth Profiles (BWP).
- Major Benefits of a Carrier-Based Connectivity Services Solution
The Software Driven Network Vision
- Introduction.
- Predecessors to MEF's Third Network.
- SDO & Open Source Organizations in the Space.
Practice Questions for MEF-NF
- Questions Reviewing.

A basic knowledge of Computer Networking is assumed. Also some familiarity with various conceptual models of networking (OSI, Internet, etc.) and technologies is helpful.