MEF 3.0 (Metro Ethernet Forum Third Network) is the framework for Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) — enabling automated, software-defined delivery and management of network services across multiple service provider domains. Built on a foundation of open APIs (LSO Sonata, LSO Presto, LSO Cantata, LSO Legato, LSO Interlude), MEF 3.0 standardises how enterprise connectivity services — Carrier Ethernet (CE 2.0), SD-WAN, IP Networking, and Security-as-a-Service — are provisioned, assured, and orchestrated across carrier boundaries.
For Indian enterprises and network service providers, MEF 3.0 is most relevant through its MEF SD-WAN specifications (MEF 70.1) and Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (MEF 6.3/10.4) — which define the service attributes, performance tiers, and assurance frameworks for enterprise WAN and branch connectivity. Organisations deploying SD-WAN or procuring ILL/MPLS services from MEF-certified providers benefit from standardised SLAs, interoperability guarantees, and automated service management.