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Comments on draft-ip-optical-framework-00.txt

  • From: Jagan Shantigram <jagan@photonex.com>
  • Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 19:27:47 -0500
  • Cc: "Khaled Elsayed" <khaled@ieee.org>, <mpls@UU.NET>, <ip-optical@lists.research.bell-labs.com>

At 06:24 PM 3/27/00 -0500, Krishna Bala wrote:
>Jagan,
>Just to beat a dead horse .. the difference between the open model
>and the overlay is just that the overlay model typically suggests that
>there would be N^2 connectivity (i.e., every router, for instance, is
>statically connected to every other). In any case, the open model allows
>for fully dynamic operation. The overlay model suggests static operation of
>the optical layer.
>
>As I see it there are only two architectures that are worth considering:
>1. Peer
>2. Open
>
>I agree with you that there is no need to add the "overlay" model to
>this list. The open model covers the static and the dynamic cases.

o-oh.. I wasn't suggesting that we do away with the term "overlay"
at all.. But, your preference is noted ofcourse.

Additionally - from my reading it did not seem that "overlay" implies
static operation, or even a full connectivity between routers - N^2
as you mentioned. I was looking at some really old(?) IP/ATM debates
and it seems like the term overlay/peer were used there as well and
if I may, the debate was not much different either.

In any case I do think that the parameters and the trade-offs are
different than in the case of IP/ATM. I would like to see more discussion
on that so that we can draw a more educated line between those two
models in IP/Optical scenario. For example questions like - addressing,
dynamic path establishment, router/router-like behavior of optical
devices, L2-switch-like behavior of optical devices etc.. While the
questions seem to be the same as when people were discussing how IP
should be carried on ATM - will the answers be different in this
case?

One answer could be to let optics be stupid and simple and provide
point to point connectivity - just the plain-old-transport-network?
While we may be able to guarantee the behavior and correctly define
the network in that case - it will probably not use the current
technologies of configurability of wavelength paths and the
ability to condense more and more high speed interfaces into a single box
along with the switching intelligence that is required to make it
powerful.

-jagan.

>
>Krishna
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Jagan Shantigram [mailto:jagan@photonex.com]
>> Sent: Monday, March 27, 2000 10:14 AM
>> To: Krishna Bala; Jonathan Lang; curtis@avici.com
>> Cc: Khaled Elsayed; mpls@UU.NET; ip-optical@lists.research.bell-labs.com
>> Subject: RE: Comments on draft-ip-optical-framework-00.txt
>>
>>
>> At 05:04 PM 3/24/00 -0500, Krishna Bala wrote:
>> >Jonathan,
>> >Point 1: Let me clarify the "open model".
>> >
>> >Open refers to the fact that this model supports the interconnection of
>> >several types of clients to an optical network (server layer).
>> >Examples of Clients:
>> >IP Routers, ATM Switches, SONET ADMs, "Direct Wavelength Services"
>> >
>> >The open model also allows the interconnection of other Optical Network
>> >Elements to
>> >each other.
>> >Examples of other Network Elements:
>> >Optical Add/Drop Muxes, Other OXCs, Wavelength Selective XC, Wavelength
>> >Interchanging XC
>> >
>> >In general, since it offers the capability to support ALL
>> services (not just
>> >IP)
>> >it is an Open Model.
>>
>> Krishna,
>>
>> It seems like the above just described what people understand
>> by the overlay model. In this model the optical layer presents
>> itself as a layer that can provide a bunch of services to the
>> upper data/IP layer. These services could include point
>> to point clear channel, 1+1 protection, negotiable bandwidth
>> etc.. (just to give examples). How the optical layer
>> achieves these services is yet to be determined - which as you
>> mention will require standardized interfaces between the various
>> optical components and as well as a standardized API for these
>> services to be requested.
>>
>> My question is what are these services that would be useful
>> for the optical layer to provide and what are the tasks that
>> have to be taken up to enable it?
>>
>> In any case it seems risky to take up a model that requires
>> too much cooperation between the various layers - since that
>> will mean that there will be inter-dependence in the development
>> of that technology. Ofcourse there are others who have more
>> experience on questions like this.
>>
>>
>> >
>> >Point 2: Overlay Model vs. Open
>> >
>> >The connotation that goes typically with the Overlay model is that the
>> >optical
>> >layer is quasi static and might require N^2 connectivity at the IP/client
>> >layer.
>>
>> Am afraid I missed the point here.
>>
>> thanks,
>> -jagan.
>>
>>
>> >Hence, I prefer to distinguish the open model from overlay.
>> >Krishna Bala
>> >
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: owner-mpls@UU.NET [mailto:owner-mpls@UU.NET]On Behalf Of Jonathan
>> >> Lang
>> >> Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 4:55 PM
>> >> To: 'Krishna Bala'; curtis@avici.com; Jagan Shantigram
>> >> Cc: Khaled Elsayed; mpls@UU.NET;
>> ip-optical@lists.research.bell-labs.com
>> >> Subject: RE: Comments on draft-ip-optical-framework-00.txt
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Krishna,
>> >>   The Open model seems quite "Closed" to me - the very nature of clouds
>> >> implies information hiding in my mind.  What is exactly meant by open?
>> >> Also, I'm not sure I agree with your definition of overlay, as
>> many people
>> >> allow the overlay model to encompass both your (2) and (3).
>> >> Furthermore, I
>> >> don't think the Peer Model implies OXCs are "agile but fat &
>> >> dumb" since as
>> >> they are "peers", this would also imply routers are "agile but
>> fat & dumb"
>> >> as well - and at some point, someone needs to have
>> intelligence.  I would
>> >> suggest that the Peer model allows both routers and OXCs to
>> interoperate
>> >> intelligently.
>> >>
>> >> Regards,
>> >> Jonathan
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: Krishna Bala [mailto:kbala@tellium.com]
>> >> Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 11:59 AM
>> >> To: curtis@avici.com; Jagan Shantigram
>> >> Cc: Khaled Elsayed; mpls@UU.NET;
>> ip-optical@lists.research.bell-labs.com
>> >> Subject: RE: Comments on draft-ip-optical-framework-00.txt
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Jagan,
>> >> There are several architectural models for IP over Optical
>> Networks that
>> >> are emerging:
>> >>
>> >> 1. Peer Model
>> >> In this model the IP router is entirely aware of the details on the
>> >> underlying
>> >> optical network (topology information, wavelength and port
>> usage and lamda
>> >> assignment).
>> >> It is able to control and manage entire end to end paths. In this
>> >> model the
>> >> OXC is "agile but fat & dumb".
>> >> 2. Overlay Model
>> >> The optical layer is "fat & dumb". The lamda connections between the IP
>> >> routers behave as if they were dedicated fibers between them. The
>> >> IP routes
>> >> provision logical optical circuits over a fixed or at best a
>> quasi-fixed
>> >> optical
>> >> layer.
>> >> 3. Open Model
>> >> In this scenario the optical layer comprises of several "vendor/network
>> >> operator clouds"
>> >> that have well defined interfaces. For example, an Optical UNI
>> can be used
>> >> to
>> >> interconnect the IP router to the OXC and the Optical NNI can
>> be used to
>> >> connect
>> >> two optical network domains together. Here the optical layer is
>> >> "fat, smart
>> >> and agile".
>> >>
>> >> It is unclear at this time which of these models will prevail.
>> >>
>> >> Krishna Bala
>> >> Tellium
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > -----Original Message-----
>> >> > From: owner-mpls@UU.NET [mailto:owner-mpls@UU.NET]On Behalf Of Curtis
>> >> > Villamizar
>> >> > Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 1:55 PM
>> >> > To: Jagan Shantigram
>> >> > Cc: curtis@avici.com; Khaled Elsayed; mpls@UU.NET;
>> >> > ip-optical@lists.research.bell-labs.com
>> >> > Subject: Re: Comments on draft-ip-optical-framework-00.txt
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > In message <3.0.6.32.20000323114004.00b74c60@photonex.com>, Jagan
>> >> > Shantigram wr
>> >> > ites:
>> >> > > At 12:52 PM 3/22/00 -0500, Curtis Villamizar wrote:
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >In message <38D76337.478CA5FC@ieee.org>, Khaled Elsayed writes:
>> >> > > >>
>> >> > > >>
>> >> > > >> Hello Jagan,
>> >> > > >>
>> >> > > >> > When we do not have lambda conversion however, this
>> >> problem cannot
>> >> > > >> > be solved optimally.. it is akin to the graph coloring
>> >> > > >> > problem - which ofcourse has heuristics that can get us to
>> >> > > >> > a factor (?) of the optimal solution. So, connections may
>> >> > > >> > be blocked even though there is capacity on the fiber to
>> >> > > >> > support it, just because the wavelength is already used up.
>> >> > > >> >
>> >> > > >>
>> >> > > >> Connections can be blocked when?? At service
>> provisioning time or
>> >> > > >> at the time the connection is requested?? My point is a
>> >> > > >> connection of 2.48 Gbps is not likely to be a random event or an
>> >> > > >> ATM-like SVC. If a customer would require such huge
>> bandwidth, it
>> >> > > >> would need that BW to go through or it would better look for
>> >> > > >> another carrier that will provide a TDM/leased line?? Of course
>> >> > > >> wavelength conversion can help build a better-utilized network,
>> >> > > >> no question about that.
>> >> > > >>
>> >> > > >> Khaled
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >The exception to the rule that "a connection of 2.48 Gbps is not
>> >> > > >likely to be a random event" is where a very major event,
>> possilble
>> >> > > >external to one's own network results in a shift in
>> traffic patterns
>> >> > > >that is significant enough to require that additional
>> >> lambdas be added
>> >> > > >to existing paths.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >The real world example in the ISP world is a failure of a peering
>> >> > > >point of some sort, a provider interconnect, a NAP or NAP
>> >> connectivity
>> >> > > >of some party.  Since all major ISPs are connected to
>> each other at
>> >> > > >more than one geographically diverse peering point, the
>> traffic will
>> >> > > >still flow, but the path will have changed.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >This may mean that a path that previously required 3 lambdas (for
>> >> > > >example), now requires 4 lambdas.  There are at least 3 ways to
>> >> > > >accommodate this requirement:
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >  1.  An external management system adds a lambda to both
>> the routers
>> >> > > >      at either end and the optical switches
>> (demonstrated at OFC).
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >  2.  The router signals the requirement/desire for an additional
>> >> > > >      lambda to the adjacent optical switch which sets up a path.
>> >> > > >      This is the overlay model.  It can be trivially
>> >> implemented with
>> >> > > >      MPLS by having the router send a loose source hop in the ERO
>> >> > > >      allowing the switch to create the path or reject
>> the request.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Curtis,
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Am trying to understand the model here. Does the overlay model
>> >> > > as you put above imply that the optical devices need to be
>> >> mini-routers
>> >> > > in their own right? They have to be able to set up
>> end-to-end optical
>> >> > > paths.. perhaps some kind of binding between the end-host
>> IP address
>> >> > > and an addressing scheme for Optical devices.. ala ATM?
>> >> > > What does the overlay model entail?
>> >> >
>> >> > The optical devices run the same IGP (ISIS or OSPF) and use RSVP (or
>> >> > CRLDP) in a manner similar to the ATM UNI setting up an SVC.
>> >> >
>> >> > Alternately, the lambdas can be set statically and the edge router
>> >> > simple advertises a Lambda-Switch Capable link ala
>> >> > draft-kompella-mpls-optical-00.txt (if I understand their intent wrt
>> >> > accommodating the overlay model).
>> >> >
>> >> > I don't think draft-kompella-mpls-optical-00.txt has all the details
>> >> > sufficiently ironed out for the case where the optical switch
>> >> > advertises the availability of an optical link.  If it does, then the
>> >> > details ar just not clear to me.  (Could be my careless reading).
>> >> >
>> >> > > >  3.  The router has enough information about the
>> characteristics of
>> >> > > >      the optical devices to compute the path and so it does
>> >> so.  This
>> >> > > >      is the peer model.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > >
>> >> > > What does this model need.. a protocol for exchanging information
>> >> > > between the router and the optical device?
>> >> >
>> >> > It needs a means to communicate OOB wrt the primary lightpath.  That
>> >> > means would again be running the IGP and RSVP.  Based on reading the
>> >> > draft-kompella-mpls-optical-00.txt draft, I'm not clear on how the
>> >> > optical switch exchanges this information OOB although I
>> would imagine
>> >> > that it would be quite easy to maintian another interface (perhaps
>> >> > even an electrical, though gig-E would do fine) between the
>> router and
>> >> > optical device in which the optical device advertises the optical
>> >> > links.  The router on either end of an optical link, seeing or having
>> >> > set up a Packet-Switch Capable link would then have to bring up an
>> >> > RSVP adjacency over it, though I think it would not need an IGP
>> >> > adjacency.  (I'm not clear on this last point.)
>> >> >
>> >> > The availability of certain types of links (Packet-Switch Capable,
>> >> > Lambda-Switch Capable, Fiber-Switch Capable) as defined in
>> >> > draft-kompella-mpls-optical-00.txt would be advertised via RSVP.  I'm
>> >> > not clear on whether the adjacent LSR should advertise a Forwarding
>> >> > Adjacency PSC after RSVP comes up over a set of optical links (it
>> >> > seems to be the intent) but maybe the authors can clarify the usage.
>> >> >
>> >> > The ongoing discussion and the topic of the (way too numerous)
>> >> > framework documents floating around has been what additional
>> >> > information would be needed in order to provide adequate constraints
>> >> > to set up optical paths, a particularly difficult problem for
>> >> > transparent paths.
>> >> >
>> >> > > -jagan.
>> >> > >
>> >> > > >The way this might manifest itself is LSPs that might
>> take an optical
>> >> > > >path from A to C are going from A to B to C because A to C
>> >> lambdas are
>> >> > > >too full.  If so, then A could in principle request an additional
>> >> > > >lambda, but in practice the means to signal this has not
>> >> been defined.
>> >> > > >
>> >> > > >Curtis
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Jagannath Shantigram
>> >> > > Photonex Corporation
>> >> >
>> >> > btw- I exchanged some private email with one of the authors of
>> >> > draft-kompella-mpls-optical.txt and owe them some detailed comments
>> >> > (appologies to them for the delay, busy).  After some brief
>> discussion
>> >> > and after a second reading, the intent seems a lot more clear.  The
>> >> > usage material is at the end so when reading the document from front
>> >> > to back the intent is not clear until the end and then a second
>> >> > reading is required.
>> >> >
>> >> > Curtis
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Jagannath Shantigram
>> Photonex Corporation
>>
>
>
>

Jagannath Shantigram
Photonex Corporation