The User Network Interface (UNI) is the physical demarcation point between the responsibility of the Subscriber (UNI-C, the Customer Edge or CE) and the responsibility of the Service Provider (UNI-N)

The network that provides the Ethernet services is called the Carrier Ethernet Network (CEN). The basic service model as described in MEF 10.3 is shown in the picture below.


UNI-C

The UNI-C provides the Customer Edge side functions which can be implemented on a switch or a router that connects to the CEN. The UNI-C is responsible for:

  • Formatting the frames in ETH format
  • C-tagging the frames per the service definition
  • Traffic management functions such as shaping
  • OAM functions such as link OAM and the Subscriber MEG for service OAM

UNI-N

The UNI-N is the SP's side of the UNI. It can be implemented in a single network element or can be distributed between several network elements within the CEN. UNI-N is responsible for:

  • Exchange of data frames with UNI-C
  • Mapping service frames to and from the EVCs
  • Enforcing ingress and bandwidth profiles and color marking
  • OAM functions
  • Optional CE-VLAN ID manipulation

UNI Type 1 and UNI Type 2

The MEF defines two UNI types

UNI Type 1

UNI Type 1 is defined by MEF 13. This is a basic UNI with manual configuration of UNI-N and UNI-C.

UN I Type 1 is further divided into UNI Type 1.1 and UNI Type 1.2:

  • Type 1.1: Non-multiplexed UNI for services such as EPL
  • Type 1.2: Multiplexed UNI for services such as EVPL

UNI Type 2

UNI Type 2 is defined by MEF 20. It presents an automated implementation model allowing UNI-C to retrieve EVC status and configuration information from UNI-N. It supports enhanced UNI attributes and additional fault management and protection functionality.

  UNI type 2 is further divided into UNI Type 2.1 and UNI Type 2.2.


 UNI Type 2.1UNI Type 2.2
Mandatory
  • Backward compatible with UNI Type 1
  • Service OAM
  • Enhanced UNI attributes
  • L2CP handling
  • Backward compatible with UNI Type 1
  • Service OAM
  • Enhanced UNI attributes
  • L2CP handling
  • Link OAM
  • Protection
  • E-LMI
Optional
  • Link OAM
  • Protection
  • E-LMI
 
Example(s)

Frame Delay between UNIs

The Service Provider measures a Frame Delay of 6 ms across its E-Line service.

Related and Further Reading

 

Categories

Attributes | Architecture |