80273

80273 is a standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as part of the IEEE 802 series of networking standards. It is officially titled "IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks—Virtual Bridged Local Area Networks." This standard extends the functionality of IEEE 802.1Q, which is commonly known as VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) tagging, to metropolitan area networks (MANs).

The primary goal of IEEE 802.73 is to enable the interconnection of multiple VLANs across a MAN, allowing for more flexible and scalable network designs. This is particularly useful in large-scale networks where traditional VLANs may not be sufficient to manage traffic efficiently. The standard defines procedures for VLAN tagging, untagging, and translation across a MAN, ensuring that frames are correctly identified and routed based on their VLAN IDs.

IEEE 802.73 is designed to work with various MAN technologies, including Ethernet over MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) and Ethernet over SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy). This compatibility makes it a versatile solution for providers of metropolitan area network services, as well as for enterprises looking to extend their VLANs across a wider geographical area.

The standard includes specifications for Provider Bridging, which allows service providers to offer VLAN services to their customers without exposing the internal VLAN IDs. This adds an extra layer of security and flexibility, as customers' VLANs can be isolated from each other and from the provider's internal network.

IEEE 802.73 is maintained and updated by the IEEE 802.1 Working Group, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective as network technologies evolve. It is widely adopted in both enterprise and service provider environments, contributing to the interoperability and efficiency of modern networking solutions.