Multi-Layer Control Plane Technologies for Hybrid Networks

Wes Doonan
OFC/NFOEC March 2012

Packet + Optical Networks

Integrates multiple networking technologies
Packet Service Layer
IP Routers, MPLS LSRs Provides various IP/MPLS services directly to clients Provides IP/MPLS infrastructure to Cloud/CDN applications Packet technology, Packet focus, Packet operational practice WDM transport elements, ROADMs, regenerators, amplifiers Provides point-to-point wavelength services to Packet layer Enables optical bypass at router sites where needed Optical technology, Optical focus, Optical operational practice

Optical Transport Layer

ORD

LAX

ATL

DIA PHX

DFW

O-PCE

P-PCE

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Layering Concept
Client layer network

Server layer network

= link = server connections = element

Connections in Server layer network create Links in Client layer network

= client connection

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Virtual Network Topologies

Abstract representation of a real network
Built from virtual components virtual links, virtual nodes Represent multiple real components as a single virtual component
Example: represent domain A as single virtual node in domain B

Purpose: Abstraction

Purpose: Adaptation
Represent server layer network capabilities in client layer network
Example: expose a lambda connection as a link in a packet topology

Purpose: Activation
Coordination activation of capabilities across layers, domains
Example: server layer connection activated during client layer signaling

Virtual Topologies are planned

VNTs created during application planning process
Prior to service provisioning, ongoing over lifetime of network E.g. what real connectivity "can" be, when requested

Represent "potentialities" of the real network

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Virtual Topology Concept

Client layer network
Planning

Server layer network

= link = server connections = element

Connections in Client network trigger Connection setup Server network

= client connection
= virtual link

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Workflow
1. Plan Connectivity

Real or Virtual?
R

2b. Provision Virtual Link

2a. Provision Real Link

Enough Topology?
Y

Enough Topology?
Y

3. Provision Packet LSP

PCE

4. Provision MPLS LSPs

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Links Creation
Purpose: Identify potential or dedicated connectivity
Optical domain to provide connectivity across domain
Dedicated: DFW->ORD Potential: 2 x LAX->DFW, LAX->ORD Connections provisioned in optical domain, resources activated, etc Links advertised to packet domain, paths computed in optical domain Optical domain resources not activated until client link is used
Packet TEDB

Dedicated connectivity provided by real links

Potential connectivity provided by virtual links

ORD LAX

DIA

ATL

PHX

DFW

= Packet

= Optical
2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Provision Packet LSPs

Purpose: Interconnect Routers
Router requested to provision connections across Packet domain
Example: DFW->ORD, DFW->LAX P-PCE used to determine/qualify most optimal paths Considers access links (P-O) and network links (O-O) Uses traffic engineering data on links provided by Optical domain P-PCE computes optimal connectivity for client applications
Packet TEDB

Normal LSP provisioning operations within Packet domain

When complete, Router advertises links to client MPLS network

P-PCE

ORD LAX

DIA

ATL

PHX

DFW

= Packet

= Optical
2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Virtual Link Options

Purpose: Utilize other potentialities of the network
Optical characteristics change
LAX->PHX->DFW becomes optically worse than LAX->DIA->DFW LAX->DIA->DFW computable due to virtual link Paths can be re-routed as desired LAX->ORD computable due to virtual link LAX->DFW re-routable to LAX->ORD as desired

Client requirements change (e.g. want LAX->ORD now)

Packet TEDB

P-PCE

ORD LAX

DIA

ATL

PHX

DFW

= Packet

= Optical
2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

GMPLS Overlay
Mechanism for building multi-technology overlay networks
Uses existing technologies as building blocks
Multi-Layer operation Virtual Links, Virtual Nodes, Virtual Topologies PCEs paired with domains and/or layers Allows definition of policies at domain/layer boundaries
What path should a connection take in a server network? How should clients be notified of server network activation? Etc ...

Identify domain and/or layer boundaries

Packet TEDB

UNI
ORD

UNI
LAX DIA

UNI
ATL

PHX

DFW

= Packet

= Optical

UNI

UNI

10

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

GMPLS Overlay
GMPLS User to Network Interface
Interoperable service activation across layers and domains
Defines the overlay network model, concepts Outlines multiple scenarios, options, mechanisms Initially issued in 2005, considerable experience since then Presents "best current practice" profile of RFC4208 Derived from specific experiences, lessons learned
Multi-layer activation, use of virtual topologies Label signaling across technologies Coordinating administrative status Routing updates to support virtual nodes Handling of generic constraints

Origin: RFC4208

Update: draft-beeram-ccamp-gmpls-uni-bcp

Codify real-world operational practices, experiences

11

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Fate Sharing
Virtual Links must reflect diversity of server network

Server network connections may share fate

Multiple wavelengths which share the same fiber Virtual links must expose fate sharing of server network connections

Path computations in client network may require diversity

Shared Risk Link Groups (SRLGs)

Integer annotations to TE links, identifying fate-sharing groups
SRLGs are per-layer/domain, must be coordinated somehow Server layer SRLG accumulation, macro SRLGs, etc

Different approaches

Sharing

Server Layer SRLG = <nil> SRLG = <X>

SRLG = <X>

Client Layer

12

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Constrained Switching Support

Switching constraints at UNI boundaries
Some networks impose switching constraints at nodes
Example: Optical element with fixed-fiber add/drop site (FOADM) Server network connection may include constrained hardware

Client network will need to know if switching constraints exist Outlines mechanism for advertising constraints between links
Informs PCEs which links can be cross-connected at a node Client network PCEs take as input to constraint calculations

draft-ietf-ccamp-general-constraint-encode

Generalized, not specific to particular transport technology

Not always required, depends on layer networks

B

{ A x B; A ! C; A x D } A

D 13
2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Summary
Multi-layer, multi-domain networks are a Reality
Packet + Optical, other network technology mixes

Multi-layer control mechanisms are also real

Architectures defined, standards in place

Virtual Network Topologies enable inter-layer coordination

Existing methods and abstractions, extended across layers Overlay networking manages client/server network interactions

UNI
ORD

UNI
LAX DIA

UNI
ATL

PHX

DFW

UNI 14

UNI

2012 ADVA Optical Networking. All rights reserved.

Thank you
wdoonan@advaoptical.com

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