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Abstract
To remain competitive, telecommunications service providers need to continuously enhance their
residential, business and mobile portfolios. They need to transition away from legacy services toward
all-IP offerings and remedy infrastructure issues that have resulted in service network silos. Edge
convergence plays a critical role in this transition.
IP technologies and service routing platforms now allow common hardware and software to be adopted
at the various network edges. This provides a consistent touch point for Quality of Service (QoS)
and OA&M across all service domains, reducing time and effort for Operations Support System
(OSS) integration. A converged IP services edge at the edge of the High Leverage Network (HLN)
architecture grows more compelling as emerging applications drive interactivity across disparate
access domains and the cost of dedicated edge infrastructure and service overlays rises.
This Application Note discusses the drivers for and benefits of implementing a converged IP services
edge and, specifically, the deployment of a solution based on the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router.
Case studies illustrate how Tier One service providers in Europe and North America have successfully
deployed the 7750 Service Router in this scenario.
Table of contents
1
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the business services edge
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the mobile packet core and backhaul
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the residential services edge
Customer examples
9 Conclusion
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
To more quickly derive and realize the potential benefits, Tier 2 or Tier 3 operators are apt to pursue
fully converged service architectures more aggressively and move away from service overlays. Their
size, reach and service portfolio may be suited to a full edge convergence. Figure 1 shows these
possible convergence paths.
Figure 1. Typical convergence paths for Tier 1 or Tier 2/3 operators
Tier 1 incumbents
Scale drives structural separation
OPEX drives common hardware and software
Residential
Residential
Business
Business
Mobile
Mobile
Time
Time
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
In a business case developed by Alcatel-Lucent and Bell Labs, modeling showed the savings offered
by a fully or operationally converged IP edge. A fully converged IP edge requires fewer nodes and has
lower startup and ongoing operational expenses. In addition, its deployment can realize 28 percent
total cost of ownership savings (62 percent OPEX savings and 24 percent CAPEX savings) over five
years. While having the same number of nodes, an operationally converged IP edge achieves lower
upfront and ongoing OPEX, yielding OPEX savings of up to 35 percent. (For further details of this
business case, please request a copy from your Alcatel-Lucent sales representative.)
CESR/L2 PE
MSE/L3 PE
EPC/GGSN
Mobile BH
7750 SR
BNG/BRAS
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR provides industry-leading platform capacities, continuous and efficient
bandwidth scaling (including interface speed and density) and a migration path from 10Gb/s to
100 Gb/s infrastructures and beyond. Because of our industry-leading network processor family,
throughput and packet processing are enabled for the highest levels of service performance. The
7750 SR provides density and footprint advantages, along with the required interface types, which
help reduce capital expense while more fully utilizing network capacity. Economies of scale can
also be achieved by consolidating devices where possible and reducing sparing and lab costs. The
use of specialized high-speed silicon developed in-house permits green service routing, because a
high level of subscribers and traffic can be accommodated per unit of rack space.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR is complemented by many products, allowing the construction of seamless,
consistent end-to-end solutions. In particular, the Alcatel-Lucent 5620 Service Aware Manager
(SAM) provides comprehensive support for Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance and
Security (FCAPS). The 5620 SAM application suite is a tightly-integrated management system that
enables provisioning of an end-to-end service and network bearers using wizards or point-and-click
configuration from a single application. These capabilities eliminate the need to individually configure
each device in the data path. The 5620 SAM greatly reduces the typical complexity and risk of
provisioning complex services using todays edge routers.
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the business services edge
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR can be the central component of a business networking services
solution. The solution enables a wide range of IP transformation projects and evolution to packetbased network architectures. In this case, converged IP voice, data and video can run over business
VPNs tailored to enterprise customers unique requirements. To fully address enterprise VPN service
needs, Alcatel-Lucent Layer 2 and Layer 3 business VPNs provide complementary service offerings,
leveraging a common IP/MPLS network and service-aware management. The level of service
intelligence can be extended still further with the addition of Multiservice Integrated Service Adapter
(MS-ISA) modules, which virtualize advanced service capabilities into the service edge. For example,
with the MS-ISA, and Application Assurance software, service providers can differentiate their
business network services by allowing enterprises to monitor and control their applications as
they transit the WAN.
In business service applications, the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SRs advanced service delivery
capabilities include:
Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and any-to-any business VPN services, such as virtual
private LAN services (VPLS) or Ethernet LAN (ELAN) services; Ethernet access to IP VPNs;
virtual leased line (VLL) or Ethernet Line (E-Line) services; and Internet access services
IPv4/IPv6 VPNs, multicast VPNs and more
Application Assured IP VPN, Ethernet VPN and Business Internet services that satisfy
enterprise demands for application level visibility and control in the network
Integrated DDoS traffic scrubbing services to protect enterprise customers from volume and
application-based DDoS attacks
The ability to flexibly deploy either native Carrier Ethernet or MPLS-based services and
functions in any combination required
Support for standards-based H-VPLS services and a range of pseudo-wire encapsulation
capabilities (PWE3), using the full complement of signaling and discovery protocols
Application-aware and service-aware QoS, application identification with stateful analysis,
non-stop services, line-rate service performance and multiservice efficiency, which are critical
elements for strict SLA-based services and superior Quality of Experience
Advanced, highly flexible hierarchical QoS implementation with hardware support for
multi-tiered shaping and policing hierarchies
Designed as a service delivery platform and featuring a carrier-grade, network-tested Service Router
Operating System, the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR provides the tools to define and satisfy the most
stringent SLAs for high-value, differentiated business services.
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the mobile packet core and backhaul
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR simplifies todays network challenges by integrating the required mobility
services functionality into a single all-IP, service-aware platform. With the addition of a Mobile
Gateway Integrated Services Module (MG-ISM), the 7750 SR supports LTE Evolved Packet Core
(EPC) gateway applications including Serving Gateway (SGW), Packet Data Network Gateway
(PGW) and GPRS Gateway Support Node (GGSN) applications. Delivering superior flexibility,
a single Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR may be deployed as a dedicated SGW or PGW, as a GGSN
element or for any combination of these functions.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR also provides high-performance mobile gateway functionality including:
Enabling per-user, per-flow, per-application/service QoS performance
Providing passive monitoring and reporting as well as active bandwidth and flow policing
Performing flow-based QoS re-marking to guarantee the required end-to-end QoS
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
A high-performance mobile gateway capability on a single platform allows the consolidation of the
IP mobility anchoring capability for converged HSPA/HSPA+ and LTE environments. This advance
can result in significant cost savings for mobile operators who are looking to provide wireless
broadband capabilities to 2G/3G and 4G/LTE mobile subscribers.
Deploying the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for converged mobile backhaul infrastructures enables the
consolidation of multiple generations of radio access networks, supports a diverse range of SLAs and
provides operational simplicity. As the foundation of a backbone for mobile traffic, the 7750 SR provides
proven carrier-grade high availability with non-stop routing and non-stop services. It also allows
service-aware management and traffic engineering for improved operational agility. Supporting service
constructs including pseudowires, VPLS and fully routed VPRN capabilities, the Alcatel-Lucent
7750 SR delivers one of the industrys most robust, scalable and flexible mobile backhaul solutions.
Used in conjunction with access and aggregation products from the same product family such
as the Alcatel-Lucent 7705 Service Aggregation Router (SAR) and the 7210 Service Access
Switch (SAS) and sharing the same software base, the 7750 SR has a strong presence in
mobile backhaul network solutions across the globe.
Key features of the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR for the residential services edge
Television, voice services and the Internet are undergoing rapid transformation and amalgamation,
creating a blend of multi-media applications that adds a new dimension to the user experience. Rich
digital media content is permeating all forms of communication, information and entertainment. It
is also having a profound impact on underlying broadband infrastructure and business models, with
video as the main component. This onslaught of Web 2.0 traffic is challenging legacy IP edge systems,
such as BRAS, with unprecedented capacity and Quality of Service requirements. However, it also
presents new opportunities for network service providers to take an active role in enabling services,
applications and content that run over a converged broadband access network and break the spiral
of legacy Internet service commoditization.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR helps network operators address the challenges and opportunities by
transforming their legacy broadband IP infrastructures, so they can accommodate sophisticated
blends of IPTV, fixed and mobile voice, IP multimedia and managed online services in a scalable,
profitable manner. With the 7750 SR, network operators can consolidate their IP services on a
converged, multi-service Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) cost-effectively and without
disruption and address new requirements such as IPv6 service support.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR provides:
Non-disruptive legacy migration and service evolution with full support of DSL Forum
TR-059 (BRAS) and TR-101 (BNG) standards and feature requirements (LAC, LTS and LNS)
Huge multi-dimensional scalability in subscribers per chassis and ingress and egress services
queue density, providing over 15 times higher density than legacy BRAS systems to scale
service capacity without expanding equipment footprint
Any mode of operation support bridged or routed gateway/CO deployment, centralized or
distributed edge deployment, wholesale or retail service deployment
IPv6 readiness with IP4/6 dual-stack subscriber management and integrated carrier-grade
network address translation capabilities
Low-cost integration of existing RADIUS-based Authentication, Authorization and Accounting
(AAA) infrastructure supporting both IPoE/DHCP-and PPPoX-based subscriber management
High availability and dependability with non-stop service support that preserves subscriber
and service states during switch-over in case of control processor or node failure
Time- and volume-based accounting with local policy for example to support pre-paid
services, either through RADIUS or a Diameter-based credit control application
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR provides all the power, flexibility and service intelligence required to
innovate and thrive in the digital lifestyle era. It combines years of operational experience, industryleading technology and an exceptionally rich feature set, which minimizes deployment risk while
maximizing options. By supporting both legacy BRAS and next-generation Broadband Network
Gateway requirements, the 7750 SR helps overcome legacy BRAS obsolescence issues. As a result,
service providers can compete more effectively and pursue new revenue opportunities in emerging
multimedia applications and provide premium digital content delivery to the connected home
as a seamless experience.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR plays a pivotal role in delivering residential broadband services and
has been deployed in more than 60 provider networks for converged IPTV, VoIP and high-speed
Internet service bundles.
Customer examples
Alcatel-Lucent has many customers who are offering converged services across at least two market
domains using the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router. The following two examples illustrate the
benefits of deploying a converged IP services edge using the 7750 SR.
European service provider: New business model
Faced with a decline in broadband revenue streams, a large incumbent service provider in Europe
engaged Alcatel-Lucent to explore opportunities to reduce operational expenses and increase revenues.
The most critical challenge this customer faced was the rising cost of operating multiple service-specific
infrastructures, which increased backhaul costs and negatively impacted broadband revenues.
The service provider implemented an Alcatel-Lucent Converged IP Edge solution to reduce operational
costs and support greater capacity for video-rich content, which enabled new business models and
new services. The solution includes the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router (already installed in the
customers network for Ethernet service aggregation) and the 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM).
With an enhanced focus on its video strategy, the operator is deploying a content delivery network
at the converged IP edge. The Alcatel-Lucent architecture distributes subscriber management
functionality throughout the network, enabling greater efficiency and improving service delivery.
With subscriber management and PPP termination closer to the customer, a common IP edge
allows the provider to install video caches where most needed, depending on customer demand
and economics. This approach creates a more flexible service architecture.
The service provider can implement service edge capabilities through a simple software upgrade on
the installed 7750 Service Routers. A converged IP edge helps improve implementation of Quality of
Service profiles, provides enhanced subscriber management and delivers content to customers without
changing the network. The service provider is also able to upgrade the network without disrupting
service to their wholesale, business and residential customers. Additionally, the Alcatel-LucentConverged IP Edge solution enables seamless migration to a distributed PPP architecture and
evolution to DHCP and will support more IP multicast services, as desired, in the future.
Combining Layer 2/Layer 3 and traditional BRAS functions was essential to ensure a non-disruptive
consolidation of legacy services and subscribers on a next-generation platform, with sufficient headroom
for both existing and emerging service requirements. The service provider believed that Alcatel-Lucent
was uniquely qualified to achieve this consolidation, based on experience with the installed
Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Routers. Key features of the 7750 SR platform were important to
the service provider, including its high availability and resiliency. Its ability to provide both IPv4
and IPv6 based services in combination if needed also fit well with the video service offerings
the operator planned and provided options for the future when IPv4 addresses reach exhaust.
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
MR/DR/video core
ATM/frame
DSL access
Metro Ethernet
National IP backbone
Regional agg
L3 PE
L2 PE
Ethernet edge
ETTS
GPON
With the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR as converged IP edge, this customer has positioned itself for
growth and consolidated multiple legacy infrastructures on a common, purpose-built, multi-service
network foundation. By implementing a next-generation solution for its existing backhaul, residential,
Internet access and multi-play services, this service provider has achieved a simpler model of network
and systems development, provisioning and operation.
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
Using the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR, the service provider has gained distributed knowledge of the
network, which enables better bandwidth allocation by allowing any combination of services to fill
the available pipes. They can move away from profile-based QoS provisioning to a more flexible
QoS system, based on parameters its customers desire. Services can be developed and provisioned
dynamically, with greater ease. This service provider also has a capacity roadmap that ensures significant
port, slot and chassis scale over 10 Gigabit, 40Gigabit and 100Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.
VLAN scaling issues have been eliminated, because the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR provides various
Layer 2 services that effectively segregate customer networks from the service providers network.
Service provisioning has been greatly simplified through consolidation, with enhanced subscriber
management deployed to automate subscriber identification and policy provisioning and eliminate
most per-subscriber provisioning actions. As a result, this customer operates a policy-controlled
network that can maximize access port capacity usage and establish a more dynamic mechanism
between their access and edge networks. This allows the service provider to implement services
more dynamically while improving network utilization.
Conclusion
It is time for service providers to make strategic steps to improve service agility and operational
efficiency. Emerging applications are driving greater interactivity across traditionally disparate
access domains, and the cost of maintaining dedicated edge infrastructures and service overlays
is rising. These trends make a converged IP services edge at the edge of the HLN architecture
increasingly compelling.
The Alcatel-Lucent 7750 Service Router is a natural platform for the converged IP services edge, because
it has a unique breadth of service functionality and scalability. With todays mature IP technologies
and robust routing platforms, it is now possible to support convergence strategies by adopting common
hardware and software at the network edges. Doing so provides a consistent touch point for QoS and
OA&M, leveraging the Alcatel-Lucent 5620 SAM management system across all residential, business
and broadband wireless service domains thereby reducing OSS integration time and effort. The
consistent instrumentation of edge devices also facilitates faster service launches and enhanced
multimedia support, as well as streamlined training, parts management and approval-for-use cycles.
Complete feature sets are available for business, residential and mobility solutions, enabling significant
capital and operational savings. In addition, greater network intelligence can be delivered which
helps support new services and opportunistically drive revenues. As demonstrated by real-world
examples and a solid, customizable business case, Alcatel-Lucent can assist service providers with
a seamless transition to a converged IP services edge without business or network disruption.
The Evolution of Edge Routing: Todays High-Performance Converged Edge | Application Note
www.alcatel-lucent.com