Short for metropolitan area Ethernet, MAE is an NAP (network access point) created by a company called MFS in Washington DC. It allows ISPs (Internet service providers) and other companies to interconnect with one another. This initial MAE was dubbed MAE East, whereas MAE West refers to the MAE located in the Silicon Valley in California.
Computer abbreviations, MAN, Network terms
Although the term MAE refers to the network access points created by MFS, the two terms are often used analogously.
Related information
- Network and network card help and support.
