Ethernet-Based Wide Area Networks - Assignment Example

Ethernet Based WAN Professor’s Name University The City and State Date Ethernet Based WAN Abstract The following paper aims at critically analyzing Ethernet based Wide Area Networks. The paper will begin by focusing on the operation of Ethernet in terms of the three main ways including transparent, switched, and routed Ethernet. Furthermore, the paper will consider the pros of Ethernet WAN its low-cost, high-speed, and flexible nature as well as its cons. Finally, the paper will make a recommendation on the use and enhancement of Ethernet based WAN. Introduction Ethernet is one of the popular network transport technologies in use nowadays. Traditionally developed for Local Area Networks (LANs), Ethernet has significantly facilitated connectivity of Wide Area Networks (WANs). Ethernet has a reputation as a low cost, high-speed, and flexible transport technology, which has led to its success in LANs and is rapidly taking over WAN connections. Ethernet based WAN has become a popular choice for both network carriers and enterprises in terms of interconnecting remote offices or offering services to customers. Conventionally, WAN connectivity has for long been dominated by numerous technologies such as frame relay, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). However, the market is currently embracing Ethernet based WAN over other traditional WAN technologies, which deserves a critical analysis to help understand better on its rising popularity. The following paper aims at critically analyzing Ethernet based WAN. The first section focuses on its operation over other traditional and modern WAN technologies. Secondly, the paper will critically analyze the suitability, strengths, and weaknesses of using Ethernet based WAN. Lastly, the paper will discuss the key issues and offer recommendation that can further enhance the field of Ethernet based WAN. Ethernet based WAN has gained increased acceptance due to its high-speed, flexibility, and low cost nature that is attributed to its robust design and features. Operation Ethernet based WAN is based on the concept of using Ethernet on LAN. It enables the interconnection of numerous individual LANs through a packed switched linkage that enables them to operate and appear as a single LAN. However, Ethernet WAN has the ability to interconnect individual LANs located in different geographical positions, thus becoming a wide area network. According to Gonzalez, Tucker & Diaz-Herrera, (2010, p. 45), the Ethernet WAN users view connected sites as a sole logical network that is considered as a virtual private network for connecting remote locations. This means it can offer both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint channels of interconnectivity. Ethernet WAN Ethernet based WAN operates in three basic manners. The first Ethernet can work on a WAN is where Ethernet frames are carried in point-to-point frequencies that only transport Ethernet frames. This enables easy and high speed connectivity for point-to-point connections. Operations, administration, and maintenance of this Ethernet WAN is conducted at the SDH/SONET level since Ethernet alone is basically unmanageable (Iniewski, McCrosky & Minoli, 2008, p. 195). For instance, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) initially launched WAN Ethernet based on the point-to-point channels and customers who had numerous locations to link had to keep numerous point-to-point links instead of a hub that can manage all locations as a single service. The second method is through point-to-multipoint channels using switched Ethernet. The Ethernet WAN can use Ethernet switches to direct or send Ethernet frames relying on their endpoint addresses (see fig 1). As such, this type of Ethernet WAN is a bit complex compared to the previous transparent Ethernet WAN since it supports point-to-multipoint. Iniewski, McCrosky & Minoli (2008, p. 195), argue that such an Ethernet WAN can be as complex and large as possible provided that numerous mechanisms are offered to manage endpoint Ethernet mac addresses. Tin this type of operation, the Ethernet channels can be integrated between the switches through any transparent or point-to-point Ethernet technologies such as SONET or SDH SPEs. Fig 1 Switched Ethernet WAN Additionally, Ethernet can offer connectivity over WAN through routing. This requires routing in the IP layers where packets are sent and leave routers on Ethernet connections but are routed using the normal IP frames (Iniewski, McCrosky & Minoli, 2008, p. 196). This means that connections between routers are not necessarily Ethernet as other technologies can be used such as MPSL. This is type of Ethernet based WAN is the only type that can operate universally using the Internet Protocol Access to data frames. This means that it can be accessed through the internet and offer global connectivity to enterprises or customers. For instance, it could be possible for a company to connect its offices in different continents or cities across the world to the same Ethernet WAN through Virtual Private Local Networks (VPLN) (see fig 2). Additionally, Ethernet based WAN operates as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service under the Layer 2 protocol of the OSI that describes data flow. Layer 2 is an effective protocol that enables error correction and framing of packets (p.2). This enables enterprises to manage and control routing policies at their level to even developing Virtual LANs to link different sites. In comparison, MPLS technologies offer Layer 3 and Layer 2 where the carrier manages their routing policies at Layer 3 while the customer manages routing at Layer 2. The Layer 2 also acts a security feature in ensuring that the Ethernet WAN is protected from outside interference. Fig 2 Routed Ethernet WAN Analysis Ethernet based WAN has gradually become popular as businesses and providers replace traditional technologies such as ATM and MPSL. Ethernet was primarily developed for LANs and due to its success in the area; it has now become absorbed into WAN connectivity. Originally, Ethernet as a LAN technology comes with increased efficiency and effectiveness in terms of being inexpensive, high speed, and flexible. These advantages are also the main reason Ethernet has been embraced considerably. One of the main strengths of Ethernet based WAN is the speed. According to Liu & Wang, (2010, p. 211), Ethernet over WAN offers bandwidth speeds of 100mps to 10GbE. Currently, Ethernet over WAN has the ability to offer between 40GbE and 100GbE under the IEEE standard 802.3ba using the Gigabit Ethernet protocol (Kivran, 2012, p.1). In today’s data driven digital world, the need to offer reliable and fast connection is related to increased businesses goals and objectives. Compared with traditional WAN technologies that can only reach maximum speeds of about 1gb/s, the Ethernet based WAN offers increased benefits. Ethernet based WAN has the ability to change bandwidth from as low as 100mbs to 10GbE without having to source for new equipment or complex configurations. Its high speed feature helps to reduce network latency as well as ensure increased effectiveness of services (Morris, (2014, p.1). Systems and enterprises that utilize data-intensive services and rely on high speed connections prefer Ethernet based WAN over other technologies. The second main strength of Ethernet based WAN is the low-cost nature of implementing the technology. Ethernet is by the cheapest networking solution available in the market. The technology even offers greater cost-efficiency when integrated into the WAN. Before the emergence of Ethernet based WAN, network carriers and enterprises were reliant on SONET/SDH networks. Most carriers had already made significant investment in these technologies. However, the emergence of Ethernet based WAN with its benefits was a clear dilemma for such carriers. However, Ethernet based WAN has the ability to integrate over multiple transport technologies including MPLS, SONET/SDH, and even IP. This means that for such carriers, they only need to upgrade to Ethernet without having to undergo additional costs for purchasing new network equipment. This means that the Ethernet based Wan is cost effective considering the rapid changes in consumer needs for increased bandwidth and flexibility. For instance, by 2004, enterprises with fiber connectivity could easily get all available options of Ethernet based WAN including multipoint and point to point (Borthick, 2004, p. 18). Even enterprises that have numerous sites can connect easily with Ethernet since it offers full-duplex protocol capabilities. Furthermore, it supports multi-mode and single-mode fiber systems (Kivran, 2012, p.1). This means that Ethernet can run on any technology without having to purchase new equipment or add complex networking technologies. Again, Ethernet is the most dominant technology in most networking products meaning that it exists in all LANs thus its services and interface are inexpensive. Ethernet is developed on standards that have matured to ensure interoperability between network equipment from different manufacturers (Liu & Wang, 2010, p. 211). Furthermore, there is no need for specialized or custom network equipment to set up Ethernet WAN because any Ethernet-based device can be applied. Traditional WAN technologies such as SDH require customers to use different customer premises equipment and network interfaces to connect to its predefined bandwidth offerings of 2Mbps, 34Mbps, and 155Mbps (Wieland, 2004, p. 20). Such arrangements are clearly costly without the ability to offer reliable and high speeds. Therefore, Ethernet WAN offer the best cost-effective solution for setting up a WAN. Additionally, Ethernet on the WAN allows for users to increase their bandwidth incrementally meaning they add bandwidth as necessary. This means that users only pay for what the bandwidth they utilize, which compared to traditional private lines such as SDH or SONET who must pay for specific amount of bandwidth irrespective of need. Enterprise can easily reduce costs and maximize efficiency by adopting Ethernet based WAN and upgrade speeds as needs arise. Ethernet WAN is also flexible meaning that its usability precedes other technologies. Using the Layer 2, enterprises can control routing from their end while carriers use the same Layer 2 to control routing, offering flexibility. Enterprise and customers can also develop their own VPNs that allows for increased flexibility even when it comes to generating new products. Flexibility is also apparent in terms of the level of protocol transparency illustrated in Ethernet WAN. Protocol transparency refers to the essential ability of Ethernet WAN to transport all legacy application protocols including IPX, DeCnet, and SNA among others (Chander, 2015, p.9). Moreover, Ethernet WAN can be configured across different technologies and equipment from different vendors. In terms of usability, Ethernet has been in use for so long that it is easy to use compared to traditional WAN technologies that require a their party for set up. Overall, Ethernet WAN is highly cost-effective, fast, easy to use, and flexible. Despite all these advantages, Ethernet based WAN has its drawbacks. HHH cites that one of the main drawbacks of Ethernet over WAN is in terms of operations, administration, and maintenance or the control plane of the technology. This means that the Ethernet based WAN tends to reduce regular network utilization (Ilyas et al. 2007, p.61). Ethernet WAN also tends to be weaker when it comes to resilience mechanisms when applying control protocols such as RSTP. Additionally, Ethernet WAN does not permit assignment of traffic planned paths and thus cannot offer quality of service support (Ilyas et al. 2007, p.61). Traditional WAN technologies such as ATM and SONET were designed to offer extensive operations, administration, and maintenance diagnostic information compared to Ethernet (Oliva, 2002, p.9). This means troubleshooting these technologies is more effective and efficient compared to Ethernet. Ethernet WAN is also faced with the disadvantage of multiple users accessing resources through the network that can slow down speeds increasingly (Onestopclick, 2015, p.1). Compared to traditional MPLS, it offers multiple bandwidths for multiple users meaning that one cannot exceed their pre-defined speed, thus cannot affect other users in the network. Scalability is also a potential disadvantage since Ethernet relies on MAC addresses that may be in excess considering huge Ethernet WAN set ups. Overall, these are main disadvantages of Ethernet WAN. Recommendation Ethernet may currently be taking over WAN connectivity due to its low-cost, high-speed, and flexible nature. The true effectiveness of any businesses should be reducing costs while maximizing efficiencies. Ethernet based WAN are a strategic solution for enterprises and carriers seeking to go this way. In the analysis, Ethernet WAN is flexible in terms of set up, usage, integration into existing network technologies equipment, and usability. Compared to the other traditional WAN technologies, Ethernet has the greatest advantages that support the current business needs in terms of connectivity. Moreover, the future leans towards Ethernet based WAN due to the increasing demand for reliable, flexible, fast, and cost-effective networking solutions. Businesses should focus on identifying their core needs especially for carriers. Carriers should consider the characteristics and attributes needed to plan for their product development or service roll-out (Gorshe, 2006, p. 52). Use of Ethernet based WAN can help carriers in offering different offering such as video, voice, internet, and streaming among others. However, this requires carriers to effectively identify the nature of network connectivity as well as cost reduction and service efficiency. There is increased need for businesses as well as consumers to adopt Ethernet based WAN solutions. This is because it would offer an increased opportunity to enhance Ethernet capabilities through maximum adoption. t based WAN, there are numerous recommendations to help enhance the operation of Ethernet over WAN. Ethernet over WAN is not resilient as some of the traditional technologies such as SONET. The main challenge is in terms of its protocols that may not be updated to integrate modern switching protocol requirements. The current emergence of fiber optics calls for increased enhancement. Nonetheless, the most common protocols used in Ethernet are switching and packet interfaces. However, there is need to integrate new protocols that can enhance performance as well as security of Ethernet based WAN. One example is the use of the GELS protocol that is based on the Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS), a reserve of the MPLS WAN technology. According to Ilyas et al. (2007, p.6), the use of GELS on the Ethernet control plane for WAN enhanced protection to about 94%, 46.4% enhancement in bandwidth settlement as well as significant changes in network utilization . Therefore, the use of multiple protocols can easily enhance the performance and control of core and metro networks based on Ethernet. Due to the ever expanding speed capability of Ethernet based WAN, it is important to reconsider the necessary protocols for increased advancement to new frontiers. Furthermore, it is also important to define OAM domains between carrier Layer 2 routing controls as well as end user Layer 2 controls (Sauer, 2007, p. 18). This means to ensure that each individual in the WAN can easily manage and control routing as well security of VLANs and their bridges. Moreover, there is also need to enhance security in the Ethernet based WAN. Security remains a paramount feature in any reliable network. Without security, there is increased risk of losing data or interference legacy services. The use of encryption mechanisms is a viable way of countering security issues given the increased advancement and complexity of today’s networks (Safenet, 2008, p. 5). Ethernet WAN is easily compatible with other technologies meaning that it can easily be manipulated, thus the need for enhanced security features. Conclusion To sum up, Ethernet based WAN has gained increased approval due to its high-speed, flexibility, and low cost nature that is attributed to its robust design and features. Ethernet operates as a VPN service that connects different LAN using the traditional Ethernet technology and offers a wide coverage of interconnectivity. Ethernet based WAN has numerous advantages including being cost-efficient, flexible, and fast. Cost efficiency is achieved through its ability to integrate to already existing WAN technologies as well as equipment. Therefore, businesses have no need to purchase new equipment or remove previous technologies to implement Ethernet WAN. Moreover, it is flexible in that it integrates into different protocols, it’s easy to set up, and offers increased integration options to existing networks. However, Ethernet WAN tends to be weak in terms of resilience leading to increased downtime as well as the inability to offer specific diagnostic information needed to troubleshoot errors. Nonetheless, Ethernet WAN is the best technology for enterprises seeking to minimize their costs and increase their efficiency. Ethernet WAN can still be improved in terms of OAM, security, as well as reinforced resiliency. References Borthick, SL 2004, 'Ethernet at the multiservice edge: every enterprise has Ethernet LANs--now how about Ethernet WANs?', Business Communications Review, no. 6, p. 18. Chander, N 2015, Choosing the Best Enterprise IP VPN or Ethernet Communication Solution for Business Collaboration. AT&T. 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