What defines the Ethernet service performance parameters in a given agreement?

The Service Level Agreement (SLA) is the key document that defines the performance parameters of Ethernet services in a given agreement. An SLA typically outlines the expected level of service, including specific metrics such as uptime, latency, jitter, and packet loss that the service provider commits to delivering to the customer. The parameters described within an SLA are crucial for establishing clear expectations and accountability in the service relationship, and they often include remedies or penalties if these performance metrics are not met.

In contrast, while an Operational Level Agreement (OLA) relates to the internal workings of a service provider's organization and describes how different teams or departments will work together to meet SLA commitments, it does not directly define service performance parameters for customers. The Quality of Service (QoS) standard, while important in managing traffic and ensuring a certain level of performance within a network, does not constitute a contractual agreement specifying what the customer can expect. The Network Performance Specification (NPS) could relate to the technical aspects of how performance is measured, but it is not an agreement that defines service parameters between a provider and a customer.