Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB-TE)

World Wide Packets is an industry leader in the implementation of PBB-TE--currently being standardized by the IEEE--deliver a cost-effective WAN transport solution based on simple extensions to standard Ethernet technology. The LE-311v PBB-TE implementation is based on standard Ethernet extensions and does not require expensive and complex control protocols like most other WAN transport technologies. With PBB-TE, the LE-311v can now deliver a cost-effective WAN transport solution that is ideal for emerging triple play (voice, video and data) applications.

The LE-311v uses PBB-TE’s advanced tunneling protocol and management mechanisms enabling providers to deliver point-to-point services with high levels of scalability, reliability, manageability, and security, while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of traditional Ethernet. Most importantly, these benefits are possible without major changes to existing network equipment or architectures.

Figure — LE-311v PBB-TE Tunnels Over Service Provider WAN

PBB-TE support in the LE-311v delivers five critical advantages:

Simple Ethernet Extensions

The PBB-TE implementation in the LE-311v is standard Ethernet technology based on extensions to the existing Ethernet protocols deployed in the vast majority of enterprise networks worldwide. By using standard Ethernet technology, World Wide Packets ensures interoperability of the LE-311v with existing Ethernet equipment installed in the subscriber’s and provider’s network.

PBB-TE support is delivered in the LE-OS and can be implemented on any LE-311v with a simple software upgrade.

PBB-TE Scalability To 16 Million Service Instances

Traditional Ethernet has a limited address space capable of only 4094 service instances, but PBB-TE increases this address space to 16 million service instances. While few enterprise networks need this level of scalability for Local Area Networks, service providers need the scalability to deliver new services, such as IPTV, Video on Demand, VoIP, and high-speed Internet to a fast-growing base of subscribers.

The LE-311v supports the entire range of 16 million service instances with up to 32 PBB-TE Tunnels and 127 PBB-TE service instances per switch.

Ultra-Fast Service Restoration

Reliability and resiliency are critical to service providers, where 99.999% availability is the standard that providers expect and demand. Traditional Ethernet Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) simply can’t deliver this level of availability, but PBB-TE delivers superior restoration of network connections to deliver the network availability required by providers and subscribers.

The PBB-TE implementation in the LE-311v uses Connectivity Fault Management (802.1ag) to detect connectivity failures. Combining this capability with the backup path feature in PBB-TE enables a LE-311v with PBB-TE to deliver superior recovery time from a network failure. This recovery time is comparable to SONET/SDH and even MPLS Fast Reroute technologies, but without requiring the additional protocols and hardware modifications required for SONET/SDH and MPLS. By delivering similar recovery time to existing SONET/SDH and MPLS networks, the LE-311v enables an easy transition from these older WAN technologies while maintaining the cost efficiency of traditional Ethernet.

Multiprotocol Transport Flexibility

PBB-TE in the LE-311v is a Layer 2 tunneling technology that can transport virtually any Layer 2 or Layer 3 connectivity service, including E-Line and E-LAN EVCs, MPLS/VPLS LSPs, ATM VCs, IP VPNs, and provider (Q-in-Q) VLANs.

These services can be encapsulated in LE-311v PBB-TE tunnels and carried transparently across network switching and routing nodes that are not aware of PBB-TE. Because LE-311V PBB-TE does not require major changes to existing network equipment or architectures, it provides superior investment protection for service providers while enabling them to take advantage of new cost-effective Carrier Ethernet edge and aggregation switches to deliver revenue-generating voice, video, and data services to business and residential customers.

LE-311V systems provide an additional level of investment protection and flexibility because they can support either PBB-TE or MPLS/VPLS services, allowing network operators to deploy one True Carrier Ethernet platform for both of these advanced technologies.

End-To-End OAM Management

The LE-311v has been enhanced with important end-to-end management tools that provide PBB-TE-based WAN connections with the same OAM capabilities as SONET/SDH networks. These tools include:

• 802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (Continuity Check Messages)
• 802.3ah Ethernet In the First Mile
• 802.1ab Station and Media Access Control Connectivity Discovery
• MEF Ethernet Performance Monitoring

OAM features in the LE-311v deliver the service management functionality that providers get from today’s SONET/SDH networks. Although not a part of the PBB-TE protocol, Ethernet OAM technologies are used by PBB-TE to ensure that providers have superior fault detection and isolation tools and the LE-311v delivers carrier-grade manageability and reliability for PBB-TE network links. These OAM features can be leveraged by the World Wide Packets LightningEdge Ethernet Services Manager (ESM) system to deliver rapid service activation, streamlined PBB-TE link and configuration, and complete end-to-end network management.

Continue

• Introduction
• Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB-TE)
• MPLS Services
• Proven LE-OS Operating System
• Carrier Class QoS
• Reliability and Resiliency
• Advanced Security
• Carrier Class OAM

PDS-0003-001 Rev B.1