On control plane algorithms for Carrier Ethernet networks: Unicast, multicast provisioning and control traffic reduction

Carrier Ethernet systems are actively replacing SONET/SDH networks for transport of provider data. After much standardization in both the IEEE and the IETF, Carrier Ethernet has evolved as a rich carrier-class technology. The standards do not focus on specific implementation aspects of providing guaranteed service-oriented features that are intrinsic towards successful replacement of SONET/SDH by Carrier Ethernet solutions. In this paper, we consider the engineering aspects of the Carrier Ethernet software defined control plane for provisioning, managing and maintaining services. Specifically, we propose methods for provisioning guaranteed unicast services considering the underlying network state. The problem is difficult due to the complex nature of admission control coalesced with subjective user requirement that is not easy to rationalize across a network. We also investigate the problem of sub-50 ms protection of multicast connections and propose a unique, tractable algorithm within the control plane for enabling carrier-class multicast services. Finally, we focus on overall control traffic reduction schemes. An intuitive merging algorithm is proposed that minimizes control traffic in Carrier Ethernet domains. A simulations study extensively evaluates the proposed techniques.