Ciena Carrier-Grade Ethernet As a Foundation for Campus Access
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CARRIER-GRADE ETHERNET AS A FOUNDATION FOR CAMPUS ACCESS NETWORKS Introduction to Ethernet increase overall network reliability, targeting Existing campus access networks are constrained by dissimilar five- or six-9s availability using classic telecommunications and often stressed data networks—typically using numerous equipment supplier specifications to produce network legacy technologies such as ATM and Frame Relay. These elements with ultra-high reliability. In addition to increased disparate networks are becoming increasingly difficult to reliability, the scalability of carrier-grade Ethernet is several manage, leading to higher operational and maintenance costs. orders of magnitude higher than traditional Local Area Additionally, these legacy networks do not cater to the kinds Network (LAN) designs. of emerging real-time applications that are crucial for an Carrier-grade Ethernet technology has become widely effective Information and Communications Technology (ICT) adopted in the carrier and enterprise environments because environment, including VoIP, video, and cloud-based data of its ability to offer differentiated service at a highly attractive processing. These applications are all IP/Ethernet based, cost. Standards-based carrier Ethernet is defined by the Metro requiring a next-generation, highly resilient, scalable, and Ethernet Forum (MEF) and the Optical Interworking Forum packetized campus access network. (OIF) as a connection-oriented Layer 2 service. Carrier-grade To this end, many government agencies have embarked upon Ethernet enables the ability to offer bandwidth-assured, Layer modernization efforts that intend to transform ageing and 2 Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) with up to eight layers of legacy communications infrastructure into a consolidated, Quality of Service (QoS), allowing differentiated service next-generation network. This usually includes refreshing the offerings for voice, video, and data IP networks. desktop environment to provide a more efficient and cost- It is important to note that the carrier-grade Ethernet standards effective method to transport packet-based applications and frameworks mentioned above are built on the well-known, to a high density of end-users. existing networking principles defined by IEEE 802.3. When There are several approaches available that attempt to provide applied to Carrier-grade Ethernet, the benefit of this a cost-effective access network. These include a pure Layer 2 adherence to established principles is that the technologies Ethernet-based solution, otherwise known as “carrier-grade still use standards-based Ethernet components to realize the Ethernet;” Passive Optical Networking (PON), which uses a lowest-cost solution per bit, delivered by leveraging the shared medium to distribute traffic; and a Layer 3 IP/ millions of ports of Ethernet deployed around the world. MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based solution. For an optical LAN or campus environment, carrier-grade This paper will examine how a Layer 2 switching capability Ethernet provides the following benefits, described in based on carrier-grade Ethernet offers the most scalable, detail below: reliable, and secure networking solution for a campus-based > Increased network flexibility access network, and provides the lowest Total Cost of > Flexible deployment options Ownership (TCO). > High levels of resiliency Carrier-grade Ethernet as a Network Layer > Network and user scalability Carrier-grade Ethernet leverages well-known Layer 2 > Service security networking principles to provide standards-based transport > Carrier-grade Operations, Administration, for packet-based applications. Carrier-grade extensions and Maintenance (OAM) A Application Note Model NNI/UNI Ports UNI Ports Total Gbps Form Factor Target Markets Temp Range 3000 Family (Service Delivery Switches) (8) 10/100M RJ45 3180 (2) 100M/1G SFP (8) T1/E1 2 1RU Multiservice Delivery -40°C to +65°C (8) 10/100M RJ45 3181 (2) 100M/1G SFP (16) T1/E1 2 1RU Multiservice Delivery -40°C to +65°C (40) 100M/1G SFP (16/32) STM-1/OC-3 3190 (2+2) 10G SFP+ (4/8/32) STM-4/OC-12 84 3RU Multiservice Aggregation 0° to +50°C 3902 (1) 100M/1G SFP (1) 10/100/1G RJ45 2 Desk/Wall SMB Intelligent NID (2 port) 0° to +50°C 3911 (2) 100M/1G SFP (8) 10/100/1G RJ45 10 Outdoor Weather-proof Ethernet Demarcation -40°C to +65°C (2) 100M/1G SFP 3916 (2) 100M/1G SFP (2) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 6 1RU, ETSI Ethernet Demarcation 0° to +50°C 3920 (2) 1G/10G SFP+ (8) 10/100/1G RJ45 12 1RU, ETSI Ethernet Demarcation 0° to +50°C (4) 100M/1G SFP Extended-temp Ethernet 3930 (2) 1G/10G SFP+ (4) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 28 1RU, ETSI Service Delivery -40°C to +65°C (4) 100M/1G SFP Weather-proof Ethernet 3931 (2) 1G/10G SFP+ (4) 10/100M/1G RJ45 28 Outdoor Service Delivery -40°C to +70°C (4) 100/1G SFP/RJ45 Ext-temp Ethernet/TDM 3932 (2) 1G/10G SFP+ (4) 100/1G SFP (16) T1/E1 29 1RU, ETSI Service Delivery -40°C to +65°C 3940 (4) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 (20) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 24 1RU 1st Tier Ethernet Aggregation 0° to +50°C (2) 10G XFP 10G Premium Ethernet 3960 (2) 10G XFP (8) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 48 1RU Service Delivery 0° to +50°C 5000 Family (Service Aggregation Switches) 5140 (4) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 (20) 100M/1G SFP/RJ45 24 2RU, ETSI Ext-temp 1st Tier Aggregation -40°C to +65°C Ext-temp 1st Tier dense 5142 (4) 1G/10G SFP+ (20) 100/1G SFP/RJ45 60 1RU, ETSI 1GbE Aggregation -40°C to +65°C (2) Dual 10G XFP 5150 Option Slots (48) 100M/1G SFP 88 2RU, ETSI Ext-temp Ethernet Aggregation -40°C to +65°C 5160 (24) 1G/10G SFP+ (UNI or NNI) 240 1RU, ETSI Ext-temp dense 10GbE Aggr -40°C to +65°C (5) Slots->(2) 10G XFP 5305 or (24) 100M/1G SFP N/A 50 6RU Ethernet Aggr/MPLS Edge 0° to +40°C (10) Slots->(10) 10G XFP 5410 or (32) 1G SFP N/A 1000 22RU High-capacity Aggr/MPLS Edge 0° to +40°C Figure 1. Ciena’s Packet Networking Portfolio These attributes are critical for an effective campus network, flooding and learning, Ethernet can automatically discover especially in an environment that requires a highly available, paths through the network to enable communication. With this scalable, and secure network. Carrier-grade Ethernet is the high level of built-in intelligence and adaptability, Ethernet can best option for a campus-based access network, compared be deployed in any physical topology. Topologies include to alternative technologies such as PON. mesh, partial mesh, ring, and hub-and-spoke, or any mix of these architectures. Because Ethernet networks can adapt to Network Flexibility growth and change, these topologies can expand easily or Ethernet is inherently a multi-point technology routinely change over time. characterized as “plug and play” when adding devices to the All of these topologies have advantages depending on their network. With well-established mechanisms such as MAC application. With the flexibility Ethernet provides, there is no 2 restriction on how fiber can be rolled out to accommodate Ethernet Configurations and Equipment Flexibility the network. This increased flexibility reduces overall Ethernet has widespread global deployment and can be installation cost. thought of as the de facto data link standard for carrying Additionally, Ethernet standards provide for the use of bi- TCP/IP-based traffic. Deployments are ubiquitous in the user directional optics, where both transmit and receive are appliance connection to the edge, campus networks, and the performed on a single fiber, from 100 Mb/s to Gigabit Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN). As such, equipment manufacturers (GbE). This efficiency greatly maximizes the use of fiber—often have created a large range of devices with varying options for cutting fiber costs in half. port type, speed, density, and multiple form factors. Ciena offers a wide breadth of carrier-grade Ethernet devices in its Along with flexibility in physical topology, Ethernet provides Packet Networking Portfolio, as shown in Figure 1. flexibility in “logical” topology. This refers to how services (Layer 2) are routed in the network. Traditionally, Ethernet Ciena’s Ethernet product portfolio is particularly robust in the networks were completely auto-learning, as mentioned above. campus environment, which was the initial design target, so This is still a valid premise in a campus environment, but these options effectively meet the requirements of medium enhancements have been made to Ethernet that allow for to large enterprises. Included are options for high-density, connection-oriented switching, with paths defined by low-footprint switches, high port count (48 Ethernet ports or identifying specific connections during route provisioning. more) for high-density fan-out, and small, single-port desktop This arrangement allows deterministic path identification, devices. A variety of physical interfaces are available, including letting network operators choose the network path services multi-speed copper RJ45 or fiber-based options, which can be take to better manage latency or maximize fiber and changed with the simple addition of an SFP module. bandwidth utilization. This becomes more relevant as network topologies change and grow. Connection-oriented switching Resiliency gives the network operator the ability to offer network security Networks carrying mission-critical information require high on par with circuit-based applications, yet with the flexibility tolerance to network disruptions such as fiber cuts or and robustness of packet switching. Combined with carrier- equipment outage. Network resiliency is essential to the ability grade Ethernet’s OAM tools, a network operator can define to support critical command and control applications, data and monitor network performance while providing assured center connectivity, and even desktop applications. information technology infrastructures for critical missions. Due to Ethernet’s ability to be deployed in various topologies, Finally, because Ethernet is a well-defined standard, new it is possible to set up multiple physical paths to specific vendor equipment can be interconnected to existing networks network elements.