Segment Routing 101 and the Future of MPLS
By Said Jilani, Sr Customer Solutions Architect
Segment Routing is a new routing paradigm that aims to optimize, simplify, and improve the scalability of IP/MPLS based networks. Segment Routing utilizes source-based routing scheme where a network node steers a packet based on a list of instructions carried in the packet header (called “segments”). The list of segments carried in the packet header provide a strict or a loose specification of the required network path or tunnel eliminating the need for transit nodes to hold and maintain that path/tunnel information.
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5G Transport Networks. Two Big Gaps: X-Haul, Automation
The promise of 5G networks portends major shifts in backhaul technology. With the advent of small cells, Internet of Things (IoT) and other factors, the backhaul will need to support large volumes of latency-sensitive traffic and have flexibility to create more automated deployments. And it needs to be free of hardware constraints. Therefore, the software-defined network (SDN) has a role in bringing this paradigm shift.
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Three Elements to IP/MPLS Success in the Microwave Access
In microwave communications—as in all electronic communications mediums—operators trend toward the latest technologies (e.g., IP/MPLS). They all have conditioning to think that newer is better. And by and large that’s right.
However, when it comes to IP/MPLS—one of the most advanced packet technologies—you need to handle this concept with care. Especially in a mixed infrastructure that includes microwave, fiber and other potential backhaul transport.
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4 Steps to Make Cisco Routers Microwave Bandwidth Aware
Cisco routers remain the backbone of internet connections worldwide. Deep in the heart of networks, core routers perform the essential plumbing of the web. Further out on the edges, access routers provide connectivity for mobile devices via microwave radios (many of which are Eclipse radios from Aviat Networks). Generally, routers assume a full 1 Gbps bandwidth capability between Layer 2 connections provided by microwave radios.
However, modulation and channel size selections can vary the actual bandwidth between 1 Mbps and 1000 Mbps (i.e., 1 Gbps). This can also happen when Adaptive Coding Modulation (ACM) is activated on a point-to-point microwave link and the link’s bandwidth varies based on propagation conditions. If congestion occurs on the link, the router cannot quickly prioritize traffic nor select the optimal path, resulting in possible “black holing” of critical traffic.
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Adaptive Media Awareness: Making Layer 3 Microwave Aware
In many wireless networks, transport engineering looks after the microwave radio function while the IT department has domain over IP equipment. These two organizations started independently and grew separately over many years. It did not seem that there was any problem with this arrangement.
However, it led to the selection of equipment—radios and routers—that worked really well on their own but had no awareness of one another. Not surprisingly, these technology solutions did not perform together optimally.
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Case for IP/MPLS Routers at the Small Cell…but not Just any Router!
With the goal of a hyper-meshed 5G street level network, clearly today’s small cell deployments represent just an interim phase in a progressive network densification—pushing the network outward. This means today’s small cell sites will become tomorrow’s macrocells, or hub sites.
Future-looking mobile operators have planned for this eventuality. In the developed world, small cell and the Internet of Things (IoT) drive mobile network densification. However, in the developing world the primary goal of enterprise connectivity spurs network densification, due to lack of wireline infrastructure to business buildings. The end result of network densification is the same.
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