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WiMAX: New Kid on the Block... And a Step to 4G
The newest WiMAX standard, 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e), not only supports mobility, it has as its heart OFDMA technology -- an air interface which has already been adopted as the basis of all next-generation, or 4G, wireless technologies. But it goes farther than just the air interface. 4G is expected to consist of OFDM-based radio networks -- boosted by advanced antenna technologies such as multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) and beam forming -- with flat-IP architectures that are packet switched, delivering an order of magnitude boost to end-user bitrates. Here's the pitch. |
Karim El Naggar |
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A New Class of All-IP Routers; At Your Service
For video and mobile broadband upgrades, major carriers and service providers are deploying multi-service edge routers (MSERs). MSERs can best be thought of as a service control point that combines subscriber management, edge routing, and Ethernet aggregation over either ATM or Ethernet networks. Additional features such as network security, P2P traffic management, and session border controls for VoIP services, can be added as the MSER and the market demands for them. |
Doug Wills |
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Survivable Optical Networks: Intelligent Control Planes Enable Self-healing Networks
Recently, in a couple of incidents, undersea cable lines were cut or damaged by what appears to be dragged or discarded ship anchors. The adverse impact of interrupted transoceanic network traffic – often entailing significant financial consequnces – is prompting many network operators to move beyond pre-existing submarine cable network restoration plans. Control plane-based automation schemes are a key tool to enhance network survivability. |
Jim Zik |
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Network Evolution to 100 Gbps
As data demands increase exponentially, current 10 Gbps networking has become insufficient to meet tomorrow’s networking needs and, while 40 Gbps is entering a growth phase, it is insufficient for many future network applications. Network infrastructure is preparing for the next leap… to 100G. |
Jim Zik |
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Ethernet VPLS: An Alternative to IP MPLS for Post-Frame Relay Communications
As applications continue to push the limits of networking, it is clear that legacy networks such as Frame Relay and ATM will not scale to support enterprise demands. To date, IP MPLS services have been the only viable alternative for medium to large-size enterprises. While IP MPLS addresses the need for any-to-any connectivity and CoS, the service is difficult to implement and manage. With advances in networking technology, such as VPLS, CoS, and EAPS, Ethernet services have emerged as a compelling alternative to IP MPLS services. |
S. Keao Caindec |
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Architectural Choices for Ethernet/Optical Transport Convergence
Network operators face a multitude of choices in creating a converged Ethernet-Optical transport network. Here we examine three such options: IP-over-DWDM, Carrier Ethernet Overlay, and Carrier Ethernet Transport. |
Denis Gallant |
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Carrier Ethernet Ready for Prime Time: Five Things to Consider
Recent announcements concerning carrier plans to deploy Ethernet in metro and core networks clearly indicate that Ethernet’s familiar role in the enterprise LAN has evolved to encompass MAN and WAN applications. Today, virtually every office environment and many residences count on Ethernet networks to interconnect individual workstations and peripherals. What follows are five things to keep in mind as you consider a larger role for Ethernet in your network. |
John Hawkins |
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Gigabit Monitoring -- Tap Aggregation, Regeneration and Filtering to enable Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) in Carrier IP Networks
The weapon of choice for service-oriented network monitoring is Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), enabling providers to identify, classify or even selectively block IP traffic. For the technology to work, DPI must be able to unobtrusively acquire high-fidelity replica of production traffic from multiple sources across a triple redundant network. Recently, instead of using conventional network taps, the Data Access Network (DAN) has emerged as the “Best Practice” data access and network monitoring architecture for cost-effective DPI monitoring/ |
Denny K Miu |
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Gigabit Monitoring – How-to Segregate and Load-Balance 10-Gig Traffic among 1-Gig Tools
2007 will emerge as the year of 10 Gigabit. Yet one challenge remains. How to monitor mission-critical traffic at full line-rate in order to ensure network integrity, including performance, security and compliance. 10-Gig monitoring tools are not readily available and are like to be costly. A new breed of Data Access Switch is an alternative. |
Denny K Miu |
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Gigabit Monitoring -- Interop's SpyNet Enables Virtualization of Monitoring Tools
Interop is a significant event for network engineers, in part because InteropNet is known as the state-of-the-art network for demonstrating new technology . To ensure that such business activities can take place, there is a secondary overlay network that is also built along with InteropNet -- SpyNet, which enables the total traffic aggregated from multiple switches or taps to be redistributed to a parallel array of collaborating monitoring tools. |
Denny K Miu |
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Building Next Gen Modular Communication Platforms with AdvancedTCA
There is a fundamental change occurring in telecommunication platform designs that have been ushered in by development of open standards, modularity and an effort to reduce cost through an interoperable, plug and play kind of economics. This article provides an overview of some of the key changes in telecom platform designs and the effect these changes have on the industry. |
Chetan Hiremath and Udayan Mukherjee |
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Capitalizing on the Evolution of Metro Nets: Understanding Multidimensional Ethernet
For years, Ethernet supporters have predicted that Ethernet will become the dominant network technology and lead to a truly homogeneous network. Even as new standards have threatened to provide functionality beyond the scope of Ethernet, relentless innovation has led to the evolution of an Ethernet that can provide unparalleled scalability, reliability and Quality of Service (QoS) for next-generation Metro networks. The result, Multidimensional Ethernet, is a combination of MAC-in-MAC, Hierarchical QoS, Ethernet Cross-Connect, and Service Resiliency technologies that maintain Ethernet's ability to meet the specific functional needs of the rapidly growing business services market. |
Harpreet Chadha |
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Illicit Fiber Tapping of Ethernet WANs and the Advantages of Layer 2 Encryption
While it runs counter to conventional wisdom, fiber can be tapped — even without breaking cable sheathing. When used illicitly, optical taps can provide unfettered access to data and voice communications passing over a fiber line. Implementing encryption at Layer 2 ensures security of the fiber optic transmission and makes the data virtually impossible to misappropriate by those with malicious intentions. |
Andy Solterbeck |
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Premium IP-VPNs: Opportunity Knocks
The winds of change are getting stronger as enterprises increase their use of multimedia, always-on applications – changing the IP VPN landscape. Now is the time for service providers to roll out Premium VPNs supporting non-stop routing and offering guaranteed QoS levels for different application types. |
Peter Chahal |
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Metro battle: MPLS vs. Ethernet
MPLS has won the battle within core networks and has become the dominant internetworking technology. Some argued that MPLS should be extended to the network edge. Ethernet, the most successful networking technology ever developed, has won in the enterprise environment and is being extended to the metro. Will this success limit MPLS to the network core? |
Kevin Daines |
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Sustaining the Ethernet Ecosystem: The Need for 100 Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet's ubiquity and this inexorable demand for bandwidth are pushing the industry towards the next generation of Ethernet technology -- 100 Gigabit Ethernet. Vendors currently involved in developing the next generation of Ethernet anticipate it will be 2010 to 2012 before 100 GbE products are ready to ship. Here's the business case. |
Stephen Garrison |
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Whither T1? Mid-Band Ethernet Delivers 2-Mbps to 45-Mbps over Bonded Copper
Mid-Band Ethernet supports native Ethernet at rates from 2 Mbps to 45 Mbps over bonded copper pairs. Copper bonding also increases the increases the reach of Metro Ethernet service networks from about 12% of business sites to well over 95% of business sites. Will T1 go the way of the horse and buggy? |
Robbie Forkish |
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Using Pseudo-Wires for
Mobile Wireless Backhaul
over Carrier Ethernet
The continued evolution of mobile wireless services is toward technologies that are intrinsically packet-oriented, such as HSDPA and HSUPA, and
indicative that packet access networks, rather than TDM-based T1s and E1s, are the logical transport for backhaul in the RAN. A number of new technologies
that are cost-effective and provide flexible, high-capacity backhaul transport are emerging as the frontrunners for next-generation packet access networks. These new technologies include Carrier Ethernet (also known as Metro Ethernet or Optical Ethernet), xDSL, cable HFC, EPON/GPON, and broadband packet radio
(including WiMAX. Pseudo-Wire solutions not only enables mobile wireless operators to use new packet access networks, it also gives operators a choice among multiple packet
network technologies in the RAN, including Carrier Ethernet, xDSL, cable HFC, and even broadband packet radio.) |
Steve Byars |
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Enabling Mass-Market Deployment of Ethernet Services – Profitably!
The complexities of delivering WAN-based Ethernet services have traditionally been concentrated in the access network, typically accounting for 80 percent of a carrier’s capital and operational costs. The underlying problem is that the existing access infrastructures come from different legacy roots. Carriers need an improved model of access infrastructure, one that is purpose-built for managed Ethernet service delivery. |
Abdul Kasim |
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Switching, Multiplexing & QoS in Metro Networks: How Do They Affect Services?
Does the domination of the Ethernet protocol mean that telecommunications providers should adopt Ethernet switches for their networks, as replacements for their traditional SONET/SDH elements? Since some of the key offerings driving broadband network investment today are isochronous services like voice, IPTV and broadcast video it is worth investigating how differences in the two primary L2 Media Access Controllers, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) and RPR (IEEE 802.17), affect these services |
Mannix O’Connor |
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