The Value of Non-Intrusive Core Router Monitoring ADC's Value-Added Module (VAM) Solution Executive Summary The evolution of Internet Protocol (IP)−based technology, coupled with advances in core-routing technology, is changing the way telecommunications carriers deliver once disparate services to their customers. Enabled by an IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, next-generation routers are designed to support multiple applications and services including combined voice, video and data. Core routers today harness incredible power, supporting aggregate throughput of 92 terabits and supporting speeds up to OC-768. Given the advances in core router technology and their important role in the telecommunications architecture, the ability to non-intrusively monitor performance across every type of core router application is key to isolating problems, maintaining service levels and mitigating risks. This paper addresses why telecommunications carriers need the ability to non-intrusively monitor the core router and best practices are for monitoring. In addition, the paper discusses ADC’s Value-Added Module (VAM) monitoring solution, ADC’s Professional Services role in deploying core router VAM solutions and highlights a successful implementation for a major telecommunications carrier. The Value of Non-Intrusive Core Router Monitoring Page 2 The Network Core The evolution of IP-based technology continues to drive telecommunications carriers to provide next- generation, converged IP services against a backdrop of ever increasing bandwidth and performance demands. Packet-based network infrastructures that support high- speed Internet, video on demand (VoD), and Voice over IP (VoIP) services require telecommunications carriers to upgrade their network architectures to meet the challenges of networking convergence and multiservice delivery. At the heart of network migration and architecture upgrades lay massive core routing solutions designed to meet the growing demands of the carrier’s customer base. These high-end routers, geared toward telecommunications companies with networks that handle the greatest levels of Internet traffic, represent the phasing out of multiple single-service networks. What have emerged are single, integrated networks capable of delivering disparate services and applications at unprecedented speeds and performance levels. Advances in Core Router Technology Driven by MPLS technology that leverages the integration of IP and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), next-generation routers are designed to support converged network services. Today’s core routers, supporting aggregate throughput of 92 terabits and of up to OC-768, enable carriers to deliver a suite of data, voice, and video services over highly available and highly scalable IP infrastructures that are well-suited for network expansion. Given the advances in core-router technology and its important role in the telecommunications architecture, the ability to perform out-of-band monitoring without disruption in service is necessary for telecommunications carriers seeking to isolate problems, maintaining service levels, and mitigate risks. Limitations of Built-in Core Router Monitoring Before next-generation core routers entered the scene, telecommunications carriers were forced to rely on multiple routers to assure redundancy and mitigate risk. Carrier-grade core routers today are designed with safeguards in place to prevent system crashes and failures. Core routers incorporate elaborate alarm- reporting systems, as well as other fault management features, which alert administrators when thresholds related to signal loss or signal degradation are crossed or the system is operating outside a predetermined service range. Such features are not intended to provide troubleshooting functionality or advanced performance diagnostics; rather they are intended to offer high-level performance data and some trend analysis. Carriers today are looking for advanced diagnostic capabilities to enhance core router monitoring functionality. Given the complexity of today’s telecommunications networks, carriers must be able to efficiently identify problems and diagnosis IP, video, and voice faults - all of which require the ability, for example, to examine packet levels using third-party point-monitoring or analysis solutions. Monitoring the Essential Core – Taking it to the Next Level Customers impose extremely high demands on network carriers to not only deliver high performance, but to ensure guaranteed service levels to customers across a variety of industries—including financial, medical and emergency services. Carriers are routing precious signals at incredibly high rates through the core. If a problem arises, the entire network can be at risk. To remain competitive and satisfy customer agreements, carriers must be able to troubleshoot problems quickly, as well as conduct in-depth analysis at the packet level. Detailed monitoring requires real-time, in-depth visibility into network traffic, and is necessary for effective risk mitigation and service-level management. Enabling Advanced Monitoring Since the introduction of the next-generation routers, telecommunications carriers have sought real-time monitoring functionality. With improved monitoring functionality, time-consuming and expensive troubleshooting can be easily averted. The ability to non-intrusively monitor (i.e., without taking service down) means telecommunications carriers are able to: • Provide validation of service-level agreements (SLAs) without disruption of the network (i.e., obtain end- user data necessary to monitor end-to-end business services and SLA compliance). • Isolate problems and determine whether the source of the problem resides with the carrier or customer’s network. • Enable the measurement of network performance based on throughput and latency without circuit disruption. • Demonstrate effective service delivery via third party diagnostics that can compile information and provide reporting and advanced business intelligence reporting. Effective Practices for Core Router Monitoring Best practices for monitoring the core router should include the following: • Enable real-time, out-of-band monitoring with non- intrusive circuit access and signal splitting for testing and troubleshooting without service disruption. • Establish a test point that is separate from, or outside of, the core router equipment so that problem The Value of Non-Intrusive Core Router Monitoring Page 3 identification and isolation can occur without the influence of any active equipment. • Enable testing, diagnostics and analytics of a small percentage of the actual signal via third-party equipment that is location independent. • Monitor signals in both directions (i.e., transmit and receive). • Locate monitoring ports/bays in close proximity to the core router and monitor all inputs and outputs. ADC’s Value-Added Module System: Monitor Modules In today’s competitive environment, telecom carriers cannot risk any interruption in service. Finding a problem before it becomes a hard failure does more than just prevent loss of service, it affords service providers sufficient time to address the problem appropriately. Deploying a Value-Added Module (VAM) system adjacent to the core router provides needed flexibility and functionality in a variety of monitoring applications. ADC VAM Monitor Modules Features and Benefits Service providers can deploy a monitor module as a non-intrusive tap port for monitoring purposes or for out-of-band testing. The ADC VAM monitor module is a platform for adding monitor functionality to fiber- distribution frames. The VAM module splits the signal at the physical layer and delivers a small percentage of the signal to active or passive test equipment for out-of- band analysis or problem isolation. ADC VAM Monitor Modules enable out-of-band monitoring, test access and signal splitting, in modular plug-and-play packaging. Benefits of ADC’s VAM solution include the following: • Non-intrusive monitoring and signal access solution. Using an ADC VAM, a percentage of the signal or designated wavelength is diverted to a monitor port or external test equipment, while the remaining signal or wavelength passes through the network without interruption. Once the signal or wavelength is peeled off, it can be relayed via a fiber jumper to a network- monitoring center where third-party equipment can perform simple testing or more elaborate analysis and diagnostics (see Figure 1 for a splitting example). By utilizing such a small percentage of the actual signal, there is no significant signal loss or degradation of service, meaning it is non-intrusive. The ability to non- intrusively monitor enables providers to troubleshoot networks without disrupting customer service. • Access to both Tx and Rx signals. ADC’s VAM “bay” provides a monitoring point for both transmit and receive signals or any variation of transmit and receive. The ability to easily monitor both directions from both ends of a fiber span greatly reduces the time necessary to locate failures or degradation points. • Flexible, highly configurable platforms. ADC VAM solutions are configurable for any telecommunications carrier environment, and are available in many different chassis styles (e.g., Micro VAM, LGX style VAM, wide VAM, FDF VAM and others). VAMs are ideal for core-router applications, as well as demarcation-point applications. VAM monitoring ports can be used to route signals for long-term analysis in centralized diagnostic centers or they can be used to provide access for on-site diagnostic equipment or test gear. • Cost effective solution. Carriers have the ability to monitor core-router performance, a well as diagnose and troubleshoot problems without disrupting service and without increasing operational and maintenance costs. • Flexible coupler and interface configurations. The VAM can incorporate any variation on the number of monitoring/test ports in multiple configurations, enabling easy deployment and access. Various combinations of all-front access to input/output ports or rear access to both input/output ports are also available (see Figure 2). Rear Front Connectorized Pigtail Adapter Port Adapter Port Optical Components Connectorized Pigtail (3 mm Jacketed) Bare Pigtail (2 mm Jacketed) OSP Cable OSP VAM Core Router Splice Test Eq Splitter Splitter Rx Tx Rx Tx 10% 90% 10% 90% Figure 1. Illustration of non-intrusive core router monitoring and signal access. Figure 2. VAM monitor modules can be tailored to meet application requirements. Modules include most industry standard single-mode and multi-mode connectors. Most inputs and outputs use adapter, pigail or bare fiber. WHITE PAPERWHITE PAPER Implementing ADC Monitoring Solutions – ADC Professional Services In response to the growing requirement to enable advanced core router monitoring, ADC Professional Services is designing ADC VAM monitoring solutions to fit virtually any carrier router implementation. When a new router is installed, more often than not, so is the ADC VAM non-intrusive monitoring solution. For existing core router environments, APS can integrate a VAM solution, regardless of vendor, service, or technology. ADC equipment is extremely flexible and configurable, and can map to any fiber frame footprint (e.g., Next Generation Frames (NGF), LGX-style frames, Optical Distribution Frames (OMX), and others). Telecom Carrier Core Router VAM Implementation ADC Professional Services recently deployed a VAM solution on a Cisco CRS-1 for a major national telecommunications carrier. The challenge for the carrier was the desire to examine packet levels. The CRS-1 incorporates alarming features for power failure and signal degradation and can monitor routing capacity and speed, but does not perform analyses at the packet level to the extent as required by the carrier. The VAM solution deployed (called the Monitor X-Connect in Figure 3) enables the carrier to peel off a piece of the signal and pass it to third-party packet-analyzing equipment (called Monitoring Equipment in Figure 3) without any disruption or interference with the circuit. Service Level Agreements with customers typically dictate finite performance levels, including acceptable latency and throughput. Any degradation of service that the carrier causes can result in serious financial ramifications, particularly when the customers are huge enterprises with complex, high-performance networks. The ability to monitor optical signals off the core router can enable the determination of the root cause of problems before they manifest themselves in actual service outages. Coupled with VAM monitoring solutions located at the furthest customer demarcation points, VAM solutions can provide considerable efficiency in troubleshooting network problems. Figure 3. VAM monitor module deployment on a CRS-1, 9-panel LGX, carrier configuration. Monitor X-connect AC/front/rear 9 Panel LGX Complex -2 panels per CRS1 (96 ports) -1 panel for cross-connect to monitoring equipment Monitoring Equipment 90/10 90/10 90/10 90/10 CRS-1 Web Site: www.adc.com From North America, Call Toll Free: 1-800-366-3891 • Outside of North America: +1-952-938-8080 Fax: +1-952-917-3237 • For a listing of ADC’s global sales office locations, please refer to our web site. ADC Telecommunications, Inc., P.O. Box 1101, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA 55440-1101 Specifications published here are current as of the date of publication of this document. Because we are continuously improving our products, ADC reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. At any time, you may verify product specifications by contacting our headquarters office in Minneapolis. ADC Telecommunications, Inc. views its patent portfolio as an important corporate asset and vigorously enforces its patents. Products or features contained herein may be covered by one or more U.S. or foreign patents. An Equal Opportunity Employer 104775AE 5/07 Original © 2007 ADC Telecommunications, Inc. All Rights Reserved . Practices for Core Router Monitoring Best practices for monitoring the core router should include the following: • Enable real-time, out-of-band monitoring. Built-in Core Router Monitoring Before next-generation core routers entered the scene, telecommunications carriers were forced to rely on multiple routers