SUBISU’S NETWORK
Subisu operates a global native Ethernet network that employs Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) over a Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) platform. Subisu network represents a best-of-breed network architecture that provides the security, low-latency, low-jitter and cost- effectiveness of Ethernet with the resiliency and quality of service (QoS) features of MPLS.
At the physical layer, Subisu its metro fiber route mile infrastructure over which it offers Ethernet services at speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Subisu network services exhibit all of the following features:
Security- Private and secure WAN services are ensured with VLAN tags (IEEE 802.1Q) and Access Control Lists (ACLs) on a native Ethernet platform.
Resiliency- Subisu employs physical diversity strategies and ring network topologies to eliminate single points of failure on a "bullet-proof" network infrastructure.
High Availability- The highest levels of availability are provided with a "no over- subscription" policy coupled with EAPS and MPLS network protection technologies.
High Speed- Native, switched Ethernet is less process-intensive than routed TCP/IP to offer a significant latency advantage.
Scalability- Subisu offers network speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 1 Gbps in 1 Mbps increments.
Flexibility- Wide-area services are available in point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, or multipoint-to-multipoint configurations.
Ethernet-over-Anything- Subisu is access-agnostic, providing its fully managed Ethernet services over fiber, copper (T1, DS3) and standard in-building wiring with its ExpressReach access feature.
Protocol-Agnostic— Subisu’s services support all Layer 3 protocols such as IP, IPX, Appletalk and IP Multicast as well as Layer 3 routing protocols such as RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP.
Cost-Effective— All Subisu services are delivered with a standard Ethernet interface and do not require additional network hardware.
Fully-Managed— Subisu’s services include the network, equipment, provisioning, equipment maintenance, real-time performance monitoring, and troubleshooting.
Guaranteed— The highest levels of performance are guaranteed with Subisu’s industry- leading Service Level Agreements.
Network Technology:
Subisu’s backbone network is based on Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS), an IETF standard that integrates Layer 2 information about network links into Layer 3 to simplify and improve IP packet exchange. Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) is an MPLS application that allows geographically dispersed sites to share an Ethernet broadcast domain. When VPLS is deployed over an MPLS platform, the result is a best-of-breed approach that provides the reliability, security and ease of use of Ethernet along with the scalability, multipoint-to- multipoint support, resiliency and QoS features of MPLS. The technologies work together as follows:
When packets enter an MPLS-based network, Label Edge Routers (LERs) give them a label that contains information based on the data source, data application and data destination. Once this classification is complete, different packets are assigned to corresponding Labeled Switch Paths (LSPs). With the attached packet labels and pre-defined LSPs, the processing time required to direct packets toward their destinations is reduced dramatically, providing a significant performance advantage over native TCP/IP-based networks. This MPLS scheme also provides for automatic sub-second failover to secondary network paths in the event of a network-impacting event.
Another well-known benefit of MPLS is its ability to support sophisticated QoS-based traffic management strategies based on data-stream type and customer preference. For example, network operators can assign customer video and voice packets highest priority, and email and other static content lower priority in order to eliminate the possibility of performance degradation for more sensitive applications.
Using VPLS, Subisu provisions Ethernet VLANs over dedicated MPLS LSPs. VPLS is the ideal platform over which to offer transparent, multipoint Ethernet solutions.
Ethernet Services 101
What is Ethernet?
Ethernet is a frame-based computer networking technology used in more than 90% local area networks (LANs). The Ethernet protocol defines the wiring and signaling standards for the physical layer and the method of network access (Media Access Control (MAC)) at the Data Link Layer. Ethernet also defines a common addressing format, known as a MAC Address. Each Ethernet port has a unique MAC address.
Ethernet, standardized as IEEE 802.3, was originally developed at Xerox PARC in 1973 - 1975 by Robert Metcalfe and David Boggs. Migration away from legacy mainframe systems that relied on proprietary protocols such as IBM SNA and DEC DECnet to client server systems drove the growth of LAN technologies such as token ring, FDDI and Ethernet. Ethernet emerged as the de facto standard by the early nineties.
Since more than 90% of networks terminate to offices running Ethernet, it makes sense that the WAN should also run on Ethernet.
Ethernet WAN Services
Today, the Ethernet technology is used in Metro Ethernet networks and WAN Ethernet networks to provide an alternative to other data network services. Metro Ethernet services are primarily used as an access method to connect to data centers or to replace point-to-point private lines. WAN Ethernet services capitalize on technology advances over the last decade that provide reliability, performance and ease of management.
While LANs needed to support 1Gbps, most WANs are based on legacy technology that scales up to 45 Mbps (DS3) or 155 Mbps (OC3). Ethernet WAN services scale to 1 Gbps and can be provisioned in 1 Mbps increments.
Since less equipment being required and Ethernet is easier to manage, Ethernet-based networks are 20-30% less expensive to operate than IP virtual private networks (VPNs).
With Ethernet services, you truly get more for less.
How to Migrate to Ethernet
Migrating to Ethernet services is easier than you think.
Networks today must support converged voice, video and content applications and require:
High Performance
Lowest Total Cost of Ownership
High Scalability
Easy Migration
The simplicity of Ethernet WAN solutions enables an easy, scalable, high performance network at a reduced total cost of ownership by 30%.
Applications over Ethernet
New applications are driving the migration to Ethernet. The modern enterprise uses VoIP, real-time videoconferencing, applications to share data, storage area networks (SANs) and industry-specific applications that require high performance and ubiquity. All offices must be able to communicate directly to all of the other offices to facilitate collaboration across sales, marketing, product development, production and delivery.
Why Migrate to Ethernet Services
In order to support applications that require higher network performance and scalability, CIOs and IT Directors should migrate away from legacy networks to next generation networks, like WAN Ethernet. Ethernet services are:
- High performance
- Easy to manage
- Cost-effective
The Problem: Legacy Network Constraints
The problem with corporate WANs is that old technologies, like private lines, were not designed to handle the typical applications that run across corporate networks. Furthermore, end users expect their applications to be as responsive across the WAN as they are across the LAN.
Frame relay, was designed to handle up to 45 Mps (DS3) of bandwidth. In reality, the vast majority of frame relay ports are 1.5 Mbs (T1) and use a fraction of that bandwidth between offices. Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) must be configured between each site to form a full mesh. Most frame relay networks are designed as hub and spoke as a more cost-effective way to configure a network. In short, frame relay networks lack the scalability and flexibility to support the modern enterprise.
ATM (asynchronous transfer mode, not the cash machine) is a protocol designed to provide higher reliability and performance than frame relay. It is also used in corporate networks where bandwidth needs exceed a DS3 or 45 Mbps. Similar to frame relay, ATM networks must be configured using virtual circuits between each site, complicating network design. Also, since many companies want a full mesh (each office being able to connect to every other directly), many, many virtual circuits need to be configured.
In fact, to interconnect five offices using ATM or frame relay, you would have to configure (and pay for) ten virtual circuits. To connect 20 offices, you would need to configure 190 virtual circuits! The calculation is [n x (n-1)] / 2, where n is the number of sites.
Potential Solutions
Corporate WAN managers are migrating away from legacy networks to three types of networks:
- IP VPN
- IP MPLS VPN
- Ethernet VPLS VPNs
IP VPNs, while scalable to 155 Mbps (STM1), require encryption and the configuration of secure tunnels (similar to frame relay and ATM) between each site. These requirements make IP VPNs an unlikely option for mid to large-size enterprises.
Both IP MPLS services and Ethernet VPLS services rely on MPLS technology.
Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an IETF standard that integrates Layer 2 information about network links into Layer 3 to simplify and improve IP packet exchange. Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) is an MPLS application that allows geographically dispersed sites to share an Ethernet broadcast domain. When VPLS is deployed over an MPLS platform, the result is a best-of-breed approach that provides the reliability, security and ease of use of Ethernet along with the scalability, multipoint-to-multipoint support, resiliency and QoS features of MPLS.
Ethernet services that use VPLS provide all of the benefits of an MPLS-based network: class of service, prioritization, resiliency, high performance, and any-to-any connectivity. Unlike IP MPLS services, Ethernet VPLS are easy to implement, easy to manage and scalable.
What are etherenet services?
Ethernet Managed Services
Ethernet services are a private data network transport service based on the ubiquitous protocol, Ethernet. Ethernet-based services are the fastest growing sector of the wireline telecommunications industry. Due to its simplicity, scalability, and high performance, Ethernet services are quickly replacing frame relay, ATM and private lines in corporate Wide Area Networks (WANs).
Similar to other WAN services, Ethernet services are provided as either a managed service or non-managed service. All of Subisu’s services are managed. This means that Subisu provides the network, the local loop and a managed network device (an Ethernet switch) as a bundled service.
Subisu operates one of the largest carrier Ethernet networks in Nepal.
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March 11, 2010
