Network Performance Assurance Controller

Transcription

1 Summary Datasheet Network Performance Assurance Controller Solution Benefits Centralized control over performance assurance virtual network functions (VNFs) supporting hundreds of remote Performance Modules Controls full line-rate, multistream test traffic generation and turn-up test reporting (RFC-2544) on existing Accedian Modules. The SkyLIGHT VCX Controller is the industry s first performance assurance controller employing Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to bring advanced monitoring capabilities network-wide, without the need for expensive, high-end test equipment. The VCX Controller works together with Accedian s Nano smart SFP (optical transponder) and compact gigabit Ethernet ant Modules to deliver multi-flow traffic generation and ability to monitor thousands of flows. Enables multi-flow bandwidth utilization metering, filtering and classification on existing modules. Controller Network Performance Modules Easily installed and scaled as a virtual appliance in data centers or in VMWare on standalone COTS servers. Backward compatible with existing operational practices: Supports standard Web, CLI and SNMP management Seamlessly interoperates with Accedian s standalone Network Performance Elements (NIDs) Forward support for Accedian s Vision EMS network element management system Plug & Go Module autodiscovery Don t Promise Performance. Deliver It. The SkyLIGHT VCX Controller offers enhanced network performance, Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) visibility. Applications as diverse as virtualized customer premises equipment (vcpe), mobile network monitoring, and financial services transaction assurance can all be implemented simply, quickly, and ubiquitously. Designed to fit seamlessly into a service provider s existing infrastructure and operational practices and procedures, the VCX Controller uses the same interfaces as Accedian standalone solutions to interoperate openly with standards-based network elements, management platforms, analytics platforms, and more. Virtualized Performance Assurance The VCX Controller was crafted from the code, packet processing technology, and over forty patents that Accedian introduced to transform vanilla network interface devices into fully capable Network Performance Elements. The VCX Controller assumes CPU functionality for thousands of Performance Modules, each acting as a remote port. The VCX also maintains synchronization information for each endpoint, permitting highly precise one-way measurements over a variety of remote locations. 2Q 2015

2 Multi-flow traffic generation from any Module installed in the network: Delivers remote turn up and full mesh testing without the cost, truck rolls and labor associated with hand-held test sets. Service Activation Testing (SAT) Unique to Accedian, Performance Modules are capable of full line-rate test traffic generation, able to create and analyze up to four unique flows, or run a fully-fledged RFC service activation test suite towards Accedian or third party endpoints. This allows service providers to test the service path at turn-up as well as re-validate on-demand the capacity of a specific path or service during maintenance windows for troubleshooting. Permits on-demand testing from any live service endpoint for service predeployment assessment and troubleshooting. Combines service activation testing (SAT) with continuous performance monitoring in a single remote device. Key Specifications Full line-rate test traffic generation and analysis User specified test flow parameters: C/S V-LAN (stacked), MEG Level, constant or stepped bandwidth, bit rate, frame size, test duration, and more. Truck-rolls and on-site use of labor and test sets is eliminated with Modules. Customers can self-install, and retain Modules for their complementary performance monitoring capabilities once the service is activated. Limitations of head-end, probe-based solutions are also eliminated: high cost, network traffic load, scheduling limitations, and the inability to test directly between sites. The VCX Controller assumes all session setup, control, and sequencing functions, as well as results analysis and reporting. Modules respond to traffic generation commands (rate, number of packets, flow characteristics) to conduct tests, and pass base-level metrics back to the VCX for results processing. Up to four concurrent, unique flows. Test from one to four endpoints simultaneously. Detailed results reporting Frames sent, received, lost gaps, OOO, delay: min / max / avg. Automated report generation. Available with GUI and CLI. Layer 2 or 3 Fully Automated Test Suite SAT tests can be conducted between a VCX-controlled Nano Module and a standalone Performance Element (vcpe) or any other standards-compliant test set or NID. To the far-end test device, the Module appears the same as any other standards-based test endpoint. Any SAT protocol messages received by the Module are mediated by the VCX

3 Real-time bandwidth monitoring on classified flows from any installed Module Define flows using granular filtering criteria Monitor in each direction or aggregate up/downstream metrics. Visualization with the Accedian reporting module (ARM) or cloud-based VisionMETRIX Bandwidth Utilization Metering (FlowMETER ) Bandwidth utilization, when precisely measured, can reveal transient peaks leading to TCP throughput impairments. Per-service metering also permits usage-based billing, including on-demand and excess information rate (EIR) burst consumption pricing models, aside from trending and traffic pattern analysis. The VCX Controller processes per-flow bandwidth utilization metrics from Modules under its control, using time-stamps to accurately report throughput as well as consumption. When used in conjunction with packet loss and other measurements, service providers can detect network bottlenecks and estimate available capacity key metrics to assure and enforce the delivery of off-net services. Upload and download usage statistics can be monitored separately. The VCX Controller records utilization data based on 5-second samples, and reports as 1-minute min/max/average metrics. Key Specifications Traffic Filtering Criteria Logical filters at Layers 1, 2, 3 & 4, such as: L2CP, BDPU, per VLAN, Ethertype, Protocol type, MAC, IP, or User Defined, and more. Can be applied uni or bidirectionally. Traffic processing speed: up to 4 flows totaling full linerate (GbE) Multi-Flow Traffic Classification The traffic filters that specify monitored flows for bandwidth utilization can also be used to define loopbacks and traffic filtering. Loopbacks Loopback reflectors can be setup to relay specific flows with MAC / IP address swap, allowing Modules to act as test endpoints for Accedian or third-party test sets and probes. Filtering Drop/permit traffic passage for any defined flow, uni or bi-directionally

4 Fully automated remote Module discovery Easily select from L2 Plug & Go deployed units Enables customer and installation technician install with no preconfiguration Module Management The VCX Controller acts as a lightweight Module element manager, providing a centralized platform to view the inventory of Modules available for VCX control, as well as addressing and feature support configuration for individual units. Available Modules View list of modules available for remote port assignment, discovered using Accedian s L2 Plug & Go or L3 IP-agnostic scanning zero-touch provisioning technologies: Supports all network types Proven in multi-domain, multi-technology networks with over 300,000 devices auto-provisioned in 350+ service provider networks NNI and UNI ports easily defined for each discovered Module Simplified operations, reduced OpEx and centralized management of hundreds of remote devices Remote Port Management Quickly see and configure all remote ports in modules under the VCX Controller s management, along with status, connectivity state, media type and address: Performance Monitoring Mode Management Enable TWAMP and Y.1731 frame reflection for compatibility with Accedian performance assurance solutions and test traffic generated by standards-based network elements and third-party test platforms

5 Deployment Options The SkyLIGHT VCX can be deployed on hosted cloud resources running VMware ESXi hypervisor as a virtual appliance (OVA), or can be installed on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) server running VMware ESXi. A variety of highly scalable options make this solution adaptable to existing compute resource strategies, including D-NFV deployment approaches. Accedian also offers a turnkey physical appliance version of the VCX Controller on company-supported and warranted hardware. These options, combined with support for distributed NFV deployment models, ensure capabilities scale economically as platform use increases. VCX Virtual Appliance Specifications The specifications below relate to the VCX virtual instance. For detailed specifications on the Accedian performance Modules (Nano and Ant), or the specifications of Accedian s standalone physical VCX Controller appliance, please refer to the respective data sheet for that product. Supported Browsers Firefox version 21 and later, Google Chrome ver. 28 and above, Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 & 10 CLI Hardware Platform VM Requirements Max # of controlled Modules Accessible via SSH or local VM console VMWare ESXi 5.5 or higher certified generic server hardware 4 virtual CPUs minimum (typical i5 3Ghz) 1 Gb RAM minimum 2Gb HDD, dynamic with thin provisioning 1 network interface minimum (2 recommended -- for separation of VCX management and Modules control traffic) 200 (400 ports) Max # of discovered Modules 2000 Max VM Network ports 10 Total number of interfaces Northbound Integration Northbound Reporting Feature-Specific Details Traffic Policies per Module* (forward/drop) SAT RFC2544 Test Suite Traffic Generator* Bandwidth Utilization* L2/L3/L4 Loopbacks, filters & PM Responders* 410 (400 remote, 10 VM local) SNMP, NTP client, Syslog; IPv4 & IPv6 management access Accedian Reporting Modules for FlowMETER data 2 per Module (L1, L2, L3 and L4 capable), 400 per VCX in total. 1 test suite session license included with each VCX. Additional sessions can be licensed separately. Please contact Accedian for details. Tests can be conducted at L2 or L3 up to 1Gbps wire-speed*. Test traffic is generated by remote port on Module. 4 configurable L2/L3 flows up to 1Gbps in total; test traffic generated at remote port on Module 4 configurable flow-definitions (filters) per Module with per 1 minute reporting using history buckets 2x configurable wirespeed loopback filters per Module (400 per VCX). 100 MEP instances per VCX, one TWAMP & Y.1731 responder per Module (100 per VCX) *on GbE rate Nano or ant Module version 1 hardware these specifications and capabilities are Module / hardware version dependent, and may offer increased session support, capacity and scale in future hardware releases Accedian Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Accedian Networks, the Accedian Networks logo, SkyLIGHT, AntMODULE, Vision EMS, Vision Suite, VisionMETRIX, Vision Collect, Vision Flow, Vision SP, V-NID, Plug & Go, R-FLO, Network State+, Traffic-Meter, FlowMETER & airmodule are trademarks or registered trademarks of Accedian Networks Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective companies. Accedian Networks may, from time to time, make changes to the products or specifications contained herein without notice. Some certifications may be pending final approval, please contact Accedian Networks for current certifications