President’s Report - bul.ece.ubc.cabul.ece.ubc.ca/Michael_H.pdfPresident’s Report 2002 09 19...

President’s Report

2002 09 19 Board Report

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Suite 3200 – SFU Harbour Centre

515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 5K3

Phone: 604.822.1348 or 1.800.255.8588 (in BC) Fax: 604.822.9887

www.bc.net - [email protected]

February 9, 2007

UBC ECE Future Networks

Slide 2

The Transit Exchange - a new model

for open, competitive network services

• New and innovative multi-functional networks and services can be easily created using transit exchanges.

• Universities need new networks, and are innovators in this area.

• Transit exchanges are key to these advanced research networks, which are multi-functional.

• TXs help ensure competitive access and encourage network neutrality

• TXs can house disparate wireless technologies

• BCNET has deployed 5 TXs to create its regional network



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February 9, 2007


Slide 3

Carrier Hotels, MAEs and choice

• End users still connect to the Internet via a single local loop and a service provider backbone network.

• The backbones peer at various Internet exchanges or carrier hotels, the number having grown since 1995.

• This structure is no different than the post-NSFNET 1995 model, where regional networks could choose their backbone provider(s), all of whom were required to peer at the MAEs.

February 9, 2007


Slide 4

Problems with the current model

• It is not clear that this structure will be scalable or even hospitable to new applications and network facilities.

• The peering points become bottlenecks.

• The lock-in to a single provider stifles innovation and keeps overall price points high for next generation network access.

• Issues such as net neutrality loom large with a single provider per user site, as consumers have no choice available.



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February 9, 2007


Slide 5

Alternatives

• Is there another approach?

• Is there another structure that could better meet the needs of emerging applications?

• Can the overall network structure dovetail with the newly minted functionality being demanded by users?

February 9, 2007


Slide 6

Old and New Networks

Peer-to-peerCentralized

Customizable/flexibleOne size fits all

Whenever you wantReal time, time slots

SymmetricAsymmetric

Content independent from network

Content and network tied

International distributionLimited distribution

Everyone is a producerFew producers

NewOld



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February 9, 2007


Slide 7

Universities and Networks

Teaching Research Community Service

Experimental Networks

High Performance Networks

The InternetThe Internet

University Mission

February 9, 2007


Slide 8

Connecting communities: The Transit Exchange

• Transit exchanges allow communities to provide FACILITIES without providing SERVICES.

• A community network consists of providers + fibre/wireless facilities.

• Transit links (not a bus ☺☺☺☺) connect this network to the outside world. � An exchange allows the local community easily and economically to

support many transit links.

• The transit exchange is the new central office• Supplier networks interconnect exchanges.

� These suppliers have variability in their connection fabrics.

• The equivalent to free local calling (peering) occurs within exchanges.

• Transit exchanges are the building blocks of new networks.� Paul Vixie: there should be an exchange in every community size 50k,

maybe in the basement of a bank building.



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February 9, 2007


Slide 9

Have networks really changed?

• Our networks are overlaid on monopoly telcofacilities for the first mile� … well, now it’s a duopoly, and there is a bit of a market in inter-LATA services

� Cellular networks are really the same model, facilities-based with structured carrier interconnect

• Functions have changed, but the basic structure remains the same� Even broadband is a telco term!

• Thesis: next gen networks need next genstructure

February 9, 2007


Slide 10

My needs for any new network

• Solid

• Innovative

• Scope and choice

• Fast

• Cheap

• Simple



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February 9, 2007


Slide 11

What is the proper structure?

• Structure as (infra)structure� Arrangements of nodes and links

• Lots of thought about function� End2end, p2p, layers

� Routing is a function assuming a generalized structure of nodes and links

• But what about structure?� Is there a structuralist argument for networks rather than black box?

� Is there a philosophy of networks?

• Let function not triumph over structure� There is a delicate interplay

February 9, 2007


Slide 12

Can we create a network marketplace?

• Airports and airlines

• Buses and depots

• Stock and commodity exchanges

• Malls

• What is the equivalent in networks?



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February 9, 2007


Slide 13

My Network World

• Ubiquitous fibre cabling or wireless connectivity

• FROM: At least 2 independent paths from EVERY location

• TO: independent exchange/interconnect points

• Network exchange points as marketplaces

February 9, 2007


Slide 14

How did current university networks miss the point?

• National, maybe regional at best

• Private

• Poorly interconnected/integrated into community

• Emphasis on bringing the network to campus, rather than the campus to the network

• No first mile emphasis� Rather, long haul networks seem to get the $$$s



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February 9, 2007


Slide 15

Build the first mile FIRST

• Everything else falls into place easily

• Break free of the duopoly

• Glass is freedom! (as are wireless channels!)

February 9, 2007


Slide 16

First mile fibre – then what?

• Has to connect somewhere and to something� An exchange point and a place to get service

� A network marketplace

• Let’s call these transit exchanges� Different from IXs/MAEs

� End-user oriented rather than supplier

� MAEs/IXs as a solution to the balkanization problem

• Alternative – fibre provider (muni??) as monopoly ISPs



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February 9, 2007


Slide 17

What is a TX?

• It’s SIMPLE – here are the parts� Patch panel (L1)

� Switch (L2)

� Router (L3)

• Can be done in one rack for a small town

• Connects end nodes to each other and to upstream suppliers

• Allows many-to-many connections

February 9, 2007


Slide 18

TX Components

• Layer 1: fibre and copper patch panels� Allows for cross-connects at the media layer.

� Can have wireless media connectors

• Layer 2: Ethernet switch (10/100/Gb/10GbE)� Supports VLANs, tagging and QoS

� Used to implement multiplexed connections from users to providers.

� Providers only need a single large circuit to service many customers

• Layer 3: peering router� Every user of the TX gets a VLAN to the multilateral peering router.

� User prefixes are exported to all peering participant.

� No other routing is done by the TX operator.



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February 9, 2007


Slide 19

How it all works …

February 9, 2007


Slide 20

Other TX’s



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February 9, 2007


Slide 21

Location, location, location

• Optimal spot for both inter-TX service providers and local fibre infrastructure

• Adjacent to cheap colo facilities� Need for expandable real estate

� Do we need zoning for these things?

• We’ve had bad experiences with putting them in city hall

February 9, 2007


Slide 22

How does a TX function?

• Users have fibre to the TX

• Suppliers have fibre to the TX

• TX operator enables cross connects from users to suppliers using L(i)

• Peering router used as a commons� All users connected in a mesh is not scalable, so reduces to O(n)

� But could be used in other ways

� Users (as opposed to suppliers) LIKE to peer with each other – this has VALUE



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February 9, 2007


Slide 23

Uses of TXs

• Ability to multi-home� Maybe even test multi-path routing techniques� Robustness

• Especially if fibre network is constructed with every node having 2+ independent paths to different TXs

� Building reliable networks out of a set of unreliable providers

• Ability to construct specialized private networks� Use of packet or circuit switching to do so� Users can buy inter-TX links that optimize throughput over

reliability (eg, R&E nets)

• ISPs with NO facilities! Pure brokers� Blended schemes, market makers, IHN� Co-ops or buying clubs can form� VNOs

• Measurement• Multi-TX VPNs

February 9, 2007


Slide 24

Benefits of TXs

• TXs in communities� Encourages competition, driving down prices� Builds technological centre� Can provide a hub to attrach hi-tech business� Allows a platform for application service providers

• TXs as regional hubs� Keep local traffic as regional as possible� Allow remote community ISP (and maybe end users) larger choice

of providers at TX, rather than only the ones who can get to thecommunity.

• Provide incentive for muni fibre networks� Allows city to provide cabling only and staying out of the service

business

• Drive cost of transit down� Transit costs decreased by 30%, capacity quadrupled



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February 9, 2007


Slide 25

TXs and Transit Costs

Transit Cost and Capacity Trends

0200400600800

10001200140016001800

FY03

04

FY0405

FY0506

FY0607

FY0708

Capacity(Mbps)

Total AnnualCost($1000s)

Unit Cost ($per Mbps)

February 9, 2007


Slide 26

A word about net neutrality

• This is a market condition not a technical one

• Or, it is a regulatory condition, not a technical one

• Protocols/techniques can and will discriminate

• Net neutrality shows that structure has been ignored� Bandaid of regulation



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February 9, 2007


Slide 27

Questions

• What routing protocols and SW is needed for massive multihoming, peering, and provider switching on the fly?

• What is the right number of TXs in an area?

• Should TXs be aggregated? At what level?� Regional L2 TXs vs close-to-home TXs

� mix and match?

• Who should operate a TX?� Could be privately owned and operated

� InvisibleHand Networks

� Could be independent non-profit (airport authority)

• Should there be competing sets of TXs?

• How can these ideas be tested?

February 9, 2007


Slide 28

BCNET principles

• Building blocks� Use of community dark fibre in local metro networks� Create transit exchanges in local communities where BCNET member institutions (universities) exist

� Connect exchanges with lightpaths� Purchase transit for institutions at each local TX

• Features� Allow ANYTHING – L1, L2, L3� Emphasis on easy local peering and multihoming� Exchanges are open to ALL� R&E networks are simply private networks using community fibre infrastructure and interexchangewavelengths.

� Creates a marketplace per metro area, driving down costs, making interconnects easy



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February 9, 2007


Slide 29

BCNET – how to build a network

• Acquire local fibre for end nodes� City fibre build issues

• Trend towards city facilities

• RAV line in Vancouver

� Local fibre is expensive unless muni steps in

• Create a TX� Location, location, location

• Attract suppliers� Includes high speed R&E network facilities

• Integrate

February 9, 2007


Slide 30

BCNET Members

BCNET

Core members(Founding)

Higher Education Members

R&E Members

UBC SFU

UVIC TRU

Emily Carr Royal Roads

Okanagan College

UNBC BCIT

NRC

Genome SciResearch Centre

Cancer Research Centre

TRIUMF

CBC

Health Authorities



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February 9, 2007


Slide 31

BCNET Network Management

Overall Management

UBC24x7 operations

Network Engineering

VANTXUBC managed

PGTXUNBC managed

KELTXUBCO managed

KAMTXTRU managed

VICTXUVIC managed

SURTXSFU managed

February 9, 2007


Slide 32

Western ROADM Project Fibre



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February 9, 2007


Slide 33

Western ROADM Project Wavelengths

SeattlePNWGP Calgary (Bell)Kamloops (Bell)

VancouverVANTX

VancouverUBC/TRIUMF

KamloopsKAMTX

KelownaKELTX

B7Ch1

B7Ch2 B7Ch2

B7C

h2

B6Ch4

B6Ch1 B6Ch1 B6Ch1

B6Ch2 B6Ch2

B7Ch3

B7C

h1

B6Ch2

B6Ch4

B6Ch2B6Ch2

B6Ch3 B6Ch3 B6Ch3

CalgaryUoC

B7C

h4

B6C

h3

B6C

h4

B7C

h4

B6Ch1

new

MSPP

new

MSPP

new

MSPP

new

MSPP

Victoria (Bell)

B7C

h3

B7Ch3

VictoriaVICTX

existingMSPP

existing

MSPP

try HDXc

foreign

wavelength

(and/or

new MSPP

in Q3 '07)

*only wavelength to be lit immediately*Legend

orange: 10GbE

blue: OC-192B6: CANARIE +NETERA group

B7: BCNET group

move

existing

MSPP

from GT

in Q3 '07

February 9, 2007


Slide 34

Connecting BC to CA*net4



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February 9, 2007


Slide 35

The Global Research Network

February 9, 2007


Slide 36

Closing thoughts

• New networks need new ways of thinking about infrastructure

• Open access fibre and transit exchanges are key components for next generation networks that enshrine competition as a feature

• BCNET has created 5 TXs across the province

• Next challenges� VLAN and lightpath on-demand management using UCLP or other tools

� Routing issues for massive multihoming

� Wireless handoffs between exchanges (and even multiple providers!)

� True marketplace for users, software selectable

President’s Report - bul.ece.ubc.cabul.ece.ubc.ca/Michael_H.pdfPresident’s Report 2002 09 19...

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