"This document provides the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) generic architectural framework for Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN). The generic architecture framework describes the high-level constructs used to model the various architectural components of a MEN’s Ethernet services, transport services and application services layer networks. The MEF architecture model is based on the principle of layer network decomposition, where each layer network is constructed from a particular set of networking technologies (e.g., Ethernet, SONET/SDH, MPLS, etc.). The model reuses the native Ethernet frame structure and the architectural constructs created to describe connection and connection-less oriented transport networks in ITU-T Recommendations G.805 and G.809."