Packet Rancher

There are quite a few network operators that have been keeping tabs on Provider Backbone Bridging or PBB, Provider Backbone Bridging-Traffic Engineering or PBB-TE and Provider Link State Bridging or PLSB as they’ve made their way out of the Nortel Metro Ethernet Networks (MEN) labs and into the standards bodies.  For those of you not aware of these protocols, they are extensive additions to Ethernet that aim to make it more scalable and flexible to suit tranport of modern Carrier Ethernet networks.  What is particularly exciting about these protocols is that they solve the problem of VLAN scalbility and traffic engineering controls needed in a modern Next Generation Carrier Ethernet environment while still keeping it Ethernet.  The methodology utilized to achieve mass Ethernet transport today is to encapsulate into MPLS and VPLS protocols on one end then backhaul the traffic to be decapsulated on the other end.  This has taken a long time to mature but works adequately in it’s current state.  That’s not to say there isn’t a high degree of complexity and high costs to purchase then operate smart, powerful routers that run the routing protocols and MPLS needed to make it work.  The protocols PBB, PBB-TE and PLSB can be run on less expensive Ethernet switches plus can potentially be added to most existing switching hardware made in the last 3 or so years with little more than a software upgrade.  I’m frankly surprised that PBB, PBB-TE and PLSB hasn’t gotten more traction.  I believe possible meddling of Cisco, Alcatel-Lucent and Juniper in order to preserve their business of selling expensive MPLS routers probably have something to do with it.  Considering everyone is cutting costs in the current economy, including the carriers, you may see it crop back up as a viable option for network operators to place in their networks.  We just need the vendors to add it to the software.  Get on that, network box makers.

jason Service Provider ethernet, nortel