Tuesday, December 20, 2016

A review paper of Ethernet over synchronous Digital Hierarchy

(EoSDH or EoS)
Sayid-Omar Shire Guled Hassan Mohamed Adan
MS of Information technology & networking
SIMAD University
Mogadishu, Somalia

ABSTRACT
The lifeline to survival in the telecommunications market, has spurred the
telecommunications industry to adopt next-generation synchronous optical
network/ synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH) as the most
economical and technologically feasible solution for transmitting both voice
and data over carrier networks
In this review we will suggest the key elements for efficient transport of
Ethernet Over SDH. GFP application makes SDH both versatile and flexible,
while the Combination of LCAS and Virtual Concatenation make it elastic.
Applying GMPLS Control to such a network adds rapid provisioning and
traffic engineering features.
Also we will see the technical specification and applications of EoSDH
(TSM-1) to Reduce operating costs and maximize network utilization,
Ethernet over SDH networks
Based on these technologies can be expected to emerge and grow rapidly
Index Terms SDH, GFP, LCAS, VCat

equipment to allow encapsulation and mapping of Ethernet

traffic to SDH.
Despite the importance of such technologies and their
interplay, the literature lacks a general overview of EoS
technologies that includes performance evaluation. We believe
that the topics addressed in this paper are of practical and
tutorial value, especially considering the overspread presence
of EoS networks. Therefore, this paper focuses on description,
discussion and technical specification of EoS technologies.
The remainder of the paper is organized as follows: Section
2 present a technology overview including Ethernet, SDH,
EoS, GFP, VCat and LCAS; Section 3 describes the technical
specification and applications of EoS (STM-1); Section
4 present an advantages and disadvantages of EoS networks.
Finally in section 6 we will conclude the future aspects of this
new technology

1. INTRODUCTION
Ethernet and SDH are landmark technologies for
computer and telecommunications networking, respectively
However, digital network convergence has pushed both to
work together. This demand drove the creation of a set of
new technologies to efficiently and flexibly combine both
worlds. The Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) provides
several functions to adapt Ethernet traffic to transportation
in SDH networks. Virtual Concatenation (VCat) allows
the separation of GFP-adapted traffic into different paths
in SDH network. The Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme
(LCAS) Dynamically adjusts the capacities of SDH paths
according to source and/or destination needs. In combination,
these technologies have brought new life to SDH. In fact, this
new network vision was named Next Generation SDH (NGSDH). Ethernet exhibits all its advantages when combined
with NG-DH, not only in terms of flexibility and simplicity,
but also in terms of cost and capacity.
This convergent network
was fully adopted by telecoms in metropolitan and long-distance
areas. Many operators bought expansion cards for their SDH

2. Ethernet over SDH/SONET

Ethernet over SDH (EoS) consists of a set of new industry standards

that has been developed for more optimized mapping and control of
Ethernet traffic over SDH. Collectively these new standards provide
tools for a network operator to design networks enabling more
efficient bandwidth usage through mechanism for prioritizing traffic,
sharing bandwidth, improved bandwidth granularity and last but not
least easier service creation. All these features are integrated and
embedded in hybrid Ethernet/SDH equipment solutions and
application software packages that Nera can deliver today and with a
clear migration path towards new services that will be offered as
standards and harmonization are achieved.

Buffer delays.

SDH enhancements - Next Generation SDH

Following important standards have emerged recently as
important contributions for Ethernet encapsulation and transport
over SDH networks:

Virtual concatenation
The traditional method of concatenation is termed contiguous.
This means that adjacent containers are combined and
transported across the SONET/SDH network as one container.
Contiguous concatenations limitations included the necessity
that all network nodes that are part of the transmission path must
be able to recognize and process the concatenated container and
the lack of bandwidth granularity, which makes trans- porting
many data signals inefficient.
Virtual concatenation, as defined in standards such as ITU-T
G.707/ANSI T.105, addresses the drawbacks associated with
the contiguous method. Virtual concatenation maps individual
containers into a virtually concatenated link. Any number of
containers can be grouped together, which provides better
bandwidth granularity than attained using traditional techniques.
In addition, it enables network operators to adjust the transport
capacity to the required customer service for greater efficiency.
Because the intermediate network nodes treat each container in
the link as a standard, concatenated container, only the path
originating and path terminating Equipment need to recognize
and process the virtually concatenated signal structure. This
means that each link can take its own path through the network,
which can lead to phase differences between containers arriving
at the path terminating equipment, requiring the equipment to

Todays transport granularities are defined by the standard line

rates STM-1/4/16 and STM-64 (OC-3/12/48 and OC-192).
For example, 1 G service currently transported via an STM-16
channel. In this case, the actual transport capacity efficiency is
about 42 percent. The group VC-4-7v is a virtual concatenated
group (VCG), where VC-4 defines the basic granularity and
7v defines the number of members in the group, for nearly an
85 percent gain in efficiency.
The information required for virtual concatenation is
transported in the path overhead of the individual Containers.
priority
High
order
Low
path
order
path

SDH
H4
K4

SONET
H4
Z7

The parameters required for virtual concatenation are

the frame counter (MFI) and the sequence number (SQ).
Because members of a VCG can travel through the network
via different paths, they do not all arrive at the destination port
at the same time. To eliminate this differential delay and
guarantee the integrity of all the members in a group, a
sequence number (SQ) is assigned to each member.
Figure 2: Differential delay caused by different ways through
the network
The MFI can detect differential delays between VCG
members and compensate for them up to 512ms. The

STS-n-2v
VC-n-2v

Link 1

defined for GFP:

GFP framed (GFP-F), where one data signal frame is mapped
in its entirety into one GFP frame
GFP transparent (GFP-T), where data signal block codes are
mapped into periodic GFP frames
GFP is defined in ITU-T G.7041/Y.1303
The mode used is dependent on the service being transported.
However, to date, Ethernet is the data client signal defined for
GFP-F. GFP-T maps any data client signal, but is mainly
needed today to carry Fibre Channel. The services mapped via
GFP-F consume the least amount of over head to guarantee
the greatest bandwidth efficiency; whereas the priority of
those mapped via GFP-T is the fast, efficient transport of data.
In addition to GFP as an adaptation mechanism, there are
other methods. Of these, the link access protocol (LAPS) and
the high-level data link control (HDLC) are the two
predominant framing mechanisms. However, GFP supports
multiple services, and it has higher flexibility so that it can be
used in combination with OTN and higher stability, which
offers the possibility of introducing GFP multiplexing
structures. Therefore, GFP is the adaptive mechanism for the
future.

STS-n-2v
VC-n-2v

SONET/SDH

Link 2

Differential delay

Parameters describing the frame counter and sequence number

are summarized in the following table
Path

Number of frames

Sequence number

High
0 4095
order
Low
0 4095
path
order
path of next-generation SONET/SDH
Figure 3: Overview

0 255
0 63

Generic framing procedure

Client payload information

LCAS
Mode

Description

Application

GFP-F

Service is mapped frame-by-frame into

the GFP frame
Minimal overhead
Variable GFP frame
length

Fast Ethernet, Gig

Ethernet, IP, etc.

GFP-T

Service is mapped byte-by-byte into

the GFP frame
Optimized transfer delay
Constant GFP frame
length

Fibre Channel, FICON,

ESCON, Ethernet, DVB,
etc.

Optional payload

Payload header

Core header

Encapsulation techniques such as the generic framing procedure

(GFP) must be applied to adapt asynchronous, burst traffic and
variable frame sizes before data service traffic such as IP/PPP,
Ethernet MAC, Fiber Channel, ESCON, and FICON is
transported over SONET/SDH networks. GFP adapts a framebased data stream to a byte-oriented data stream by mapping the
diverse services into a general-purpose frame, which is then
mapped into the well-known SONET/SDH frames. This
framing structure is better at detecting and correcting errors and
providesgreaterbandwidthefficiencythantraditionalencapsulation
procedures.

Figure 4: GFP frame

The four parts comprising the GFP frame are the core header,
payload header, actual payload area, and optional error detection
field.
Core header defines the GFP frame length and detects CRC
errors
Payload header defines the type of information transported,
either management frames or client frames as well as the content
of the payload
Client payload information defines the actual transport payload
Optional FCS detects errors
There are currently two modes of client signal adaptation

ITU-T G.7041/Y.1305 defines the LCAS protocol, which runs

between two NEs that are connected at the customer interface
to the traditional SONET/SDH network. Each H4/K4 byte
transports a control packet, which consists of information
regarding virtual concatenation and parameters of the LCAS
protocol. By determining which members of a VCG are
activated and how they are used, LCAS enables the
originating equipment to dynamically change the number of
containers in a concatenated group in response to a real-time

change in bandwidth requirement. This increase or decrease in

the transport bandwidth can be accomplished without negatively
influencing the service. For example, accompany that is
supported by a 500 Mb/s link between branches during normal
business hours needs a higher bandwidth to perform updates
during off hours. With LCAS, 1 Gig of additional bandwidth is
automatically provisioned without any adverse impact to the
service.
The following parameters in the control packet are relevant for
the LCAS protocol:
Control commands (CTRL) synchronize the source and receiver
and transport information regarding the status of the individual
members of a VCG
Source identifier (GID) tells the receiver which VCG a
particular member belongs to sequence acknowledgement (RSAck) notifies the source that the receiver received initiated
changes
Member status (MST) transfers the status of the link from the
sink to the source for each individual member of the VCG
(OK=0, FAIL=1).
Error protection (CRC) detects errors and discards error control
packets for individual members of the VCG

4. Technical futures and specifications

NMS (Network Management System) for monitoring
multiple units from a single / central location.
Timing mode Synchronization with STM-1 line timing
External timing source - 120 Ohms 2MBps (External
Bits Clock) - Factory Configurable
External timing source - 120 Ohms 2MHz (External
TTL Clock) - Factory Configurable
Internal Clock - ITU-T G.813 internal oscillator
(Stratum 3)
The timing source can be auto-switched according to
default or operator programmed settings
Maximum Frame length (MTU size):1536 bytes with 4
port 1 channel (1 VCG) Ethernet Card
Maximum Frame length (MTU size):2036 bytes with 4
port 4 channel (4 VCG) Ethernet Card
Auto MID/MID-X for Ethernet Interfaces
Support 802.1Q based VLAN tagging (4 ports 1 channel

(1 VCG) Ethernet Card only)

Support Port based VLAN tagging (4 ports 1 channel
(1 VCG) Ethernet Card only)

Performance Analysis

All Received Packets

All Transmitted Packets

Received Dropped Packets

Ethernet bandwidth can be adjusted by the user
between 2MBps ~126 Mbps (VC-12 mapping)
Supports MAC Address list filtration, learning and
updating function
Supports 1+1 Line Protection and Automatic
Protection Switching (APS) with less than 50ms
recovery
Supports point-to-point, ring and chain topology (4
VCG card only)
Supports Remote Power Down Detection and Auto
Laser Shutdown
Supports STM-1 loop-back for troubleshooting
850nm multi-Mode, 1310nm Single Mode and
1550nm Single Mode optical interface options offered
Ethernet mapping adopts GFP/VC-12 virtual
concatenated technology; according with MSTP
criterion
Provides Ethernet over SDH mapping through standard
GFP and VC-12 virtual concatenation (VCAT)
Easy to operate
Redundant power supply card options AC+DC,
DC+DC and AC+AC.
110V AC - 240V AC (50/60 Hz) power options
available
-48V and -24V DC power option available
Power consumption less than 12W.

Application Diagram
Point to point network (Shared Link Mode) 1 VCG card application

Point to point network (Discrete Link Mode) 4 VCG card application

References
[1] "Ethernet technologies IEEE 802.3 performance over VoIP

network using OPNET simulator," International Journal of

Science and Research (IJSR), vol. 4, no. 12, pp. 499501,
Dec. 2015.

Conclusion
SDH is not the most efficient means to transport data traffic.
Enterprises and service providers are or will be moving away from
SDH for their regular data applications.
The industry trends for data network are moving from multiple layers
(IP over ATM over SDH over Optical to IP over Optical) to two layers
network. The IP over optical network provides higher speed and lower
complexity and overhead, hence, lower cost.
The current evolution of data networking to provide voice (VoIP), data,
and video services over high bit rates (thru 10GbE) QoS enablednetwork (using MPLS) in a highly resilient and long-haul enabled
optical environment (using advanced DWDM technology) is
overcoming the shortcomings of the traditional Ethernet including:
limited manageability options, slow restoration times (in seconds), and
shorter-reach distances with increasing bit rates.

The network layers are becoming more integrated with the

improvement of VoIP, IP, DWDM, and Ethernet Technologies, which
will gradually lead to abandoning the services of SDH and ATM.

[2] N. Ghani et al., "Value-added services in next-generation

SONET/SDH networks," IEEE Communications Magazine, vol.
46, no. 11, pp. 6473, Nov. 2009.
[3] GouravVerma and DeepikaRamaiya, Analysis, Review and
Optimization of SONET/SDH Technology for today and future
aspects," International Journal of Advanced Studies in
Computer Science & Engineering, vol. Volume3, Issue3, 2014.
[4] AntonioMarcosAlberti and Roulien Fernandez, "Ethernetover-SDH: Technologies Review and Performance
Evaluation," REVISTA TELECOMUNICAES, vol.
VOL.13, no. Issue 11, 2011.