-
Providingserviceaccelerationtomeetapplicationnetworkingrequirements
DrivingoperationalefficiencyandsimplificationtoreduceCAPEXandOPEXwiththeaimofdeliveringnetworkingservicesalignedwithcloudeconomics
Software Defined Networking (SDN) is the right framework for
the
evolution of networking to meet cloud demands. The abstraction
between
application networking requirements and actual network
implementation
is the key enabler that allows applications to rapidly program
the
network and consume it in an automated fashion. SDN provides
the
means to manage network resources efficiently and simplify
operations.
Transport provides the foundation of the networking layer and in
order
to properly participate in an SDN framework, it needs to be
capable
of providing resource and topology information, and be able to
fulfill
requests for network services on demand using standard APIs.
SOFTWAREDEFINEDNETWORKINGINTRANSPORTNeTworkS evolve To meeT
clouD DemANDS
Solution overviewresource virtualization (computing power,
storage) has revolutionized the way IT resources are being consumed
in enterprises, bringing operational benefits, as well as
substantial cAPeX and oPeX savings. This transformation is starting
to impact the networking infrastructure, where network
virtualization can bring the same operational benefits the
foundation of the cloud transformation. This represents a challenge
and an opportunity for network operators. It also means that in the
ongoing cloud transformation, the network plays a central part.
SDn Frameworkwith the move to the cloud, applications are able
to consume computing and storage resources in an elastic and
dynamic fashion allowing workloads to be created, moved and removed
on demand. But the network has not kept up. It is hindering the
adoption of cloud services by reducing the flexibility and
efficiency of the introduction and consumption of cloud
services.
-
AlcAtel-lucent Solution Sheet
2
SDN in Transport
Therefore the network must evolve to allow applications to
consume it as fluidly as the other resources. Software Defined
Networking (SDN) is the right framework for the evolution of
network-ing to meet cloud demands. SDN solutions have initially
been focused on data center networking, but their applicability is
now being extended to metro and wide area networks as well.
SDN is centered on two key objectives to provide service
acceleration to meet application networking requirements, and to
drive operational efficiency and simplification to reduce capital
and operating costs with the aim of delivering networking services
aligned with cloud economics.
Service accelerationSDN solutions need to bridge the gap between
applications and the network. They need to provide an open API that
is abstract in that it separates application networking
requirements from the underlying networking technology and vendor
implementation and allows applications to specify their
connectivity needs in an IT-centric manner. Application networking
needs can be mapped to network services at any layer l0
(wavelength), l1 (sub-wavelength), l2 (ethernet) or l3 (IP). They
are driven by the network service requirements of the application
bandwidth, latency, nature of connectivity, security and so on. The
abstraction between the application networking requirements and
actual network implementation is the key enabler that allows
applications to rapidly program the network and consume it in an
automated fashion. This is more critical than the separation of
control and data plane.
Another benefit of this approach is that the service provider is
able to introduce new technologies and/or change old networking
technologies without requiring new integration with applications.
Service providers gain the ability to optimize their networks
independently.
operational eFFiciency anD SimpliFicationSDN also provides the
means to manage network resources efficiently and simplify
operations. Instead of each network element or network layer
defining network topology independently, SDN enables service
providers to perform optimized planning and traffic engineering by
centrally managing distributed network resources. multilayer
traffic optimization can be performed and appropriate resources at
any layer can be utilized to create the right service delivery
infrastructure. This simplifies network operation and drives higher
utilization.
SDn in tranSport networkS Transport networks provide the base
foundation of the networking layer. To properly participate in an
SDN framework, the transport network must be capable of providing
resource and topology information, and be able to fulfill requests
for network services on demand via standardized APIs. The SDN
framework can use these capa-bilities to perform multilayer network
planning, computation and optimization centrally, and to define
policy that maps the appropriate services (including
packet-optical, l1 and l0) to satisfy the networking needs of
applications.
An appropriate mix of network interfaces (Xml, SNmP, openFlow
extended for l0/l1) can be used to extract the required information
and to instan-tiate network services. Service acceleration will
allow faster turn-up of optical services, as well as ethernet
services (packet-optical); management of
Solution FeatureSFEATuRE BENEFIT
Abstraction that separates the applications networking
requirements from the underlying networking technology or vendor
implementation
Allows applications to rapidly program the network and consume
network resources in automated fashion
resource discovery and control function Provides network
visibility that will allow better utilization and optimization of
networking infrastructure
Application APIs that provide northbound interfaces between the
applications and the SDN controller
Allow applications to express their networking needs (request
new resources or monitoring existing resources) in an IT-centric
manner
-
www.alcatel-lucent.com Alcatel, lucent, Alcatel-lucent and the
Alcatel-lucent logo are trademarks of Alcatel-lucent. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The
information presented is subject to change without notice.
Alcatel-lucent assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies contained
herein. copyright 2013 Alcatel-lucent. All rights reserved.
m2013026073 (march)
the transport connectivity; response to dynamic changes of
service requirements; or service assurance, to name few. This is
especially impor-tant for the Alcatel-lucent Data center connect
solution, where latency and security are concerns. Improvement in
operational efficiency is very important in multilayer, multidomain
networks, where unified management and control can result in the
optimized use of resources; and where various constraints (such as
end-to-end latency) can be used for service set-up. operational
efficiency is of particular value in service provider networks.
Figure 1 shows an example of an SDN application in a transport
network. The illustration shows how SDN is empowering enterprise
data centers to dynamically manage their connectivity patterns at
l0, l1, and the packet-optical level to suit their varying needs;
for example, day/night traffic requirements.
SDN has an important part to play in transport networks.
Alcatel-lucent is following ongoing standardization in the area,
and is offering resources to extend this important new technology
to transport networks.
learn
morewww.alcatel-lucent.com/solutions/cloud/prepare-your-network
Figure 1. SDN Use Case: Dynamic Connectivity Management
DayEnterprise resource
Serviceprovider
EnterpriseData center #1
EnterpriseData center #3
EnterpriseData center #2
Night
Optical switch
Optical bandwidth(ex: 100 Gb/s)
SDN FRAMEWORK
DC #1 DC #2 DC #3
DC #1 21 Gb/s 13 Gb/s
DC #1 DC #2 DC #3 10 Gb/s
26 Gb/s 8 Gb/s
26 Gb/s 10 Gb/s
8 Gb/s
DC #1
DC #2
DC #3 10 Gb/s