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

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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