Metcalfe Recruited by Metro Ethernet Forum

Bob Metcalfe, the networking pioneer who invented Ethernet and launched 3Com,has taken a role as senior advisor to the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF).

Metro Ethernet appears to be on the cusp of widespread deployment, with Gartner projecting the market to be worth $14 billion next year.

"MEF's efforts have leverage on America's innovation machine," said Metcalfe in a statement. The networking maverick said he is looking forward to working with the forum in its efforts "to knock down obstacles to market adoption."

MEF Chairman Mark Fishburn welcomed Metcalfe on board, extolling his effectiveness as both an inventor and builder of markets.

Forum President Nan Chen said the group also is looking forward to Metcalfe's contribution to the adoption of more applications--such as online gaming--over Metro Ethernet.MEF projects that Ethernet will become dominant in metropolitan networks far more quickly than the 20 years it took for Ethernet to become the de facto standard for LANS.