Peering Carrier Ethernet Networks begins by providing background information on the evolution of important concepts and building blocks that have led to the current state of high bandwidth and high performance Ethernet technology in order to support current and emerging customer applications. The background information covered includes an overview of Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) to describe circuit switching, multiplexing, and voice digitization that lead to the development of T1/T3 and SONET/SDH for transport. It interweaves these developments with changes in the regulatory regime.

Additional coverage includes Carrier Ethernet networks' technical standards, which describe how service providers can offer services to off-net customers using peered Carrier Ethernet networks and a description of the taxonomy of customers and their current and emerging applications at Layer 2 and Layer 3 on peered Carrier Ethernet networks.

The book concludes by describing next steps in Ethernet technology to meet growing demands and emerging trends.