Simplify Carrier Ethernet service demarcation

Simplify Carrier Ethernet service demarcation With Nokia Layer 2 OAM Smart SFPs Strategic white paper To support Ethernet transport applications, network operators need carriergrade solutions to provide enhanced Ethernet operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) capabilities in the access network while reducing OPEX and CAPEX. This white paper discusses how the Nokia Layer 2 OAM Smart SFPs support a wide variety of application scenarios and provide network demarcation plus MEF CE 2.0 Ethernet OAM cost-effectively and reliably in an SFP form-factor. 1 Strategic white paper

Contents Introduction 3 Market motivation 3 OAM Smart SFP Overview 7 OAM protocols and management 7 Conclusion 11 Acronyms 12 References 13 2 Strategic white paper

Introduction In 2012 Nokia introduced a new class of SFP module with integrated protocol processing for Ethernet operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) functions. 1 The Nokia Layer 2 OAM Smart SFPs enable network operators and service providers to reduce access network operating and capital costs by decreasing the amount of equipment required at the network edge as well as cutting installation time and power dissipation, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. The Nokia Layer 2 OAM Smart SFPs (Release 2.0) now include enhanced MEF CE 2.0 Ethernet Service OAM capabilities. This white paper describes how the Smart SFPs can be used in various network applications. It reviews the important protocols and features for access nodes and discusses how network operators and service providers can benefit from the use of Smart SFPs in various types of networks. Market motivation Ethernet has been broadly deployed in carrier networks in the last few years. The definition of standardized OAM functions and broad availability of equipment supporting them has accelerated deployment of new Ethernet-based networks and services. Ethernet is a key technology in networks today, especially at the edge of metro and access networks, where cost-effectiveness is critical. In many markets, business locations are served with an Ethernet-based interface to the premises. An even stronger push for Ethernet deployment occurs in mobile backhaul networks, where operators see a continuing increase of capacity demand that requires a migration from currently overloaded transport networks to new, higher capacity ones based on Ethernet. The number of access locations that need to be connected to the backhaul network is significantly increased by the introduction of femto wireless base stations, for which cost, power consumption and size of the equipment are all critically important. To support these applications, network operators demand carrier-grade Ethernet solutions that provide these key attributes on products for the network edge: Full-rate Gigabit Ethernet (GE) Carrier-class OAM tools to monitor optical fiber, the link layer and service layers Very low latency 1 The SFP module was introduced by Alcatel-Lucent, which Nokia acquired in February of 2016. 3 Strategic white paper

Low power, compact size and low cost Compatibility with Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and the IEEE1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) [6]. Demarcation at the network edge At the edge of the Ethernet network, the network operator needs a demarcation point that separates the domain of the network operator from the end user, i.e., the MEF user network interface (UNI). This demarcation point resides physically in a telecom equipment room at the business customers premises or, in the case of a wireless base station, may be part of the network interface equipment. In many networks the demarcation point is implemented as a small Ethernet switch supporting a network interface and one or more customer-facing ports. These types of switches are generally known as network demarcation devices or network interface devices (NIDs). A NID often implements Ethernet OAM functions to assist the operator in monitoring, troubleshooting and localizing faults. A high-end NID is often a 19-in wide, 1-rack unit high box. Compact NIDs with a width of about 1/3 of a rack are also available. Although they are fairly small, NIDs require dedicated equipment slots or rack space and power feeds in the telecom equipment room. The power dissipation of a NID is in the range of 5 30 Watt depending on the configuration. Fans may be used to enable operation over a wide temperature range. Figure 1 shows a common implementation of an Ethernet access link. The fiber connection between the Metro Core Node and the customer premises can have a reach up to 80 km (49.7 mi). At the customer premises, a NID is used as a demarcation device with a second link between the NID and the customer edge equipment. Figure 1. Access network with NID demarcation Metro core node central office Network demarcation device Customer edge Access network Customer premises In many markets (e.g., wholesale), the customer premises may include both network operator-owned equipment and service provider-owned equipment. These independent roles are often required to comply with governmental or regional regulations. As a result, both network operators and service providers need to install additional demarcation equipment, resulting in higher power consumption and additional operations costs for network deployments. 4 Strategic white paper

Smart SFP at the network edge The Smart SFP integrates the key functions of a NID Ethernet interface with carrier-class OAM inside the SFP module. This enables a major simplification and cost reduction at the customer edge location, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2. Access network with Smart SFP Metro core node central office Customer edge Access network Customer premises Using a Smart SFP at the customer premises, an operator can replace a NID and three SFP modules at the customer premises with a single Smart SFP. Due to its compact size and low power consumption, the Smart SFP can be deployed in various network scenarios. Table 1 lists the main applications and key parameters. Table 1. Application scenarios for Smart SFP Application Mobile backhaul Femto cell feed Telco wholesale: Demarcation CPE endpoints Test and measurement Key parameters Full-rate, low-latency and compatible with SyncE and PTP Very small size and low power enable integration in femto networks Provides Link OAM, Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) and ITU-T Y.1731 functions Provides the interface to long-haul fiber optics, including single fiber and coarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM) Integrated Link OAM and CFM tools enable service activation testing Multi-dimensional OPEX/CAPEX savings with Smart SFPs The OPEX and CAPEX savings with the Smart SFPs are quantified in Figure 3, which uses industry-average MEF Carrier Ethernet NID and SFP pricing, power and FIT rates. Figure 3. OPEX/CAPEX savings with Smart SFPs NNI UNI-N UNI-C Compare to: 1 SFP (e.g. 1000BASE-BX40) NID 1 SFP (e.g. 1000BASE-SX) Customer equipment 1 SFP (e.g. 1000BASE-SX) 100% footprint reduction 60% cost reduction 90% power reduction 900% reliability improvement 1 Layer2 OAM Smart SFP (e.g. 1000BASE-BX-40) 5 Strategic white paper

Optical interfaces The key benefit of SFPs is their flexibility of choice for physical interface type and signaling rate. Optical GE SFPs have a broad set of variants with a wide range of distance support from 100 m (328 ft) to more than 100 km (62 mi), and a selection of dual-fiber, single-fiber and wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) variants. With Smart SFPs, this flexibility is retained: The Smart SFPs typically are used at the edge of the network, and a wide range of link distances for single/dual fiber types are needed. Nokia supports various distances for both single and dual fiber configurations. Market drivers Both network operators and service providers want to simplify their networks. They are faced with the challenges of integrating current and new networks plus many different technologies that all need to interwork. At the same time, their customers expect higher bandwidth and lower costs for their services. The Smart SFPs enable operators to reduce costs in access and edge networks, allows for significant savings in rack space and in maintenance of deployed systems through remote configuration, monitoring and troubleshooting. Furthermore, due to their very low power consumption, the Smart SFPs can be an effective way for operators to reduce their carbon footprint. Table 2 lists the operational benefits of the Smart SFPs. Table 2. Operational benefits with Smart SFPs Benefit Lower CAPEX Lower OPEX Lower carbon footprint Operational flexibility Reliability Gigabit capacity performance Description Overall cost reduction at the demarcation or access node Simplified installation and integrated monitoring and troubleshooting tools Major energy savings possible by removing rack equipment Support of Ethernet OAM and remote configuration Mean time between failures (MTBF) of the access connection is improved compared to NID plus SFPs Full-rate, bi-directional GE performance and very low latency 6 Strategic white paper

OAM Smart SFP Overview Smart SFPs provide NID functionality integrated in an SFP module (see Figure 4). The optical interface at the front of the module and electrical interface at the system side both provide full-rate GE. The Smart SFP is fully compatible with the MSA standard for SFPs [1, 2]. Figure 4. Smart SFP functions Optical interface Y.1731 802.3ah Link OAM 802.1ag CFM Remote DDMI MSA interface The electrical system interface supports both user data and out-of-band signals for Loss of Signal, Transmit Disable, Transmit Fault, Module Present and 2-wire serial interface. The local host system can access the standard SFP inventory and digital diagnostics monitoring functions through the 2-wire serial interface at the host system. The Smart SFP Protocol Processor supports Ethernet OAM protocols and Remote Digital Diagnostics Monitoring Interface (DDMI). An integrated database maintains the protocol and configuration parameters of the SFP and restores these parameters during power-up of the SFP. OAM protocols and management OAM protocols To address various applications and requirements, Ethernet OAM is defined at several network layers, summarized in Table 3. Each layer in the network uses a dedicated OAM protocol. The network provider, the operator and the endcustomer deploy their specific protocol to monitor network performance at their level of the hierarchy. These different OAM layers operate in parallel on the network. 7 Strategic white paper

Table 3. OAM at multiple layers Layer Protocol Function Description Physical layer Link level Service level DDM [2] Digital diagnostics Monitors receive and transmit power, temperature and voltage levels IEEE 802.3 Link OAM [3] IEEE 802.1ag CFM [4] and MEF 30.1 [8] ITU-T Y.1731 [5] and MEF 35.1 [8] Discovery Critical events Latching loopback Event notifications Connectivity check Loopback Loss measurement Synthetic loss measurement Delay measurement Monitors communication between the devices on the link Reports link failures and dying gasp Enables link testing with measurement equipment Reports link level code errors and frame errors Proactively monitors path between devices across a network Discovers remote devices or localizes/isolates failures on demand Supports frame-based measurement of frame loss and frame loss ratios Supports synthetic messages-based measurement of frame loss and frame loss ratios Supports measurement of frame delay Link OAM The Smart SFPs support Link OAM as defined in IEEE Std 802.3-2015 Clause 57 (formerly referred to as IEEE 802.3ah) as an instant-on functionality (see Figure 5). Upon insertion into a system, a Smart SFP provides Link OAM in passive mode, without any configuration. The Smart SFP implements discovery, critical event reporting, event notification protocol data units and loopback. If the equipment at the other side of the link enables active mode Link OAM, the protocol is automatically established without any configuration at the Smart SFP. Figure 5. Link OAM Link OAM Link OAM Link OAM is typically used for installation and service activation of a new access link. The Smart SFP is installed at the customer edge of the network. The service personnel of the access network provider can use standard measurement equipment at the network center and perform extensive link monitoring and performance testing, using the Smart SFP as an active remote loopback device. 8 Strategic white paper

After service turn-up, during normal service operation, the Link OAM function remains enabled and operates on the fiber link between the Smart SFP and the edge switch in the network. The access link is continuously monitored by the edge switch. Link-level alarms and performance monitoring reports are collected and reported to the Network Operations Center (NOC). Service OAM The IEEE 802.1ag and ITU-T Y.1731 protocols offer network monitoring tools that operate end-to-end at the service (Ethernet virtual connection) layer. The protocols are also specified in MEF 17 [7], MEF 30.1 and MEF 35.1 [9] and are the pillar of MEF CE 2.0 service specifications. Service OAM can be used at multiple levels to support monitoring of the access portion of the network but also allows end-customers to monitor their connection end-to-end across multiple networks or operator domains (see Figure 6). The Smart SFP can be configured to support specific maintenance levels and maintenance domains, and can support multiple levels simultaneously. Figure 6. CFM at multiple layers End-to-end service level Link level Link level Network provider level A typical application for end-customers is to deploy Smart SFPs at their customer premises. Using service OAM at their maintenance level (level 6 or 7), the customer can monitor their own connection and verify that they obtain the services that were agreed in the SLA with their service provider. Smart SFPs allow access network providers to continuously monitor the throughput, frame loss and delay parameters that are critically important for their mobile network operator customers. In all network scenarios, Smart SFPs simplify the service activation procedure. After the Smart SFPs are installed on the service monitoring points, the user can discover the devices on the network, configure the CFM and Y.1731 parameters from a NOC and then verify connectivity between network nodes; measure performance; and, after activation testing, enable the network for operational service. 9 Strategic white paper

During the operational service phase, the Smart SFPs support alarm reporting and assist in fault localization, on-demand performance tests, and continuous proactive measurement of throughput, frame loss and frame delay. Remote management embedded in Nokia products Link OAM functionality on the Smart SFP is available as instant-on: As soon as the Smart SFP is inserted in a system, the Link OAM protocol is automatically established with the remote equipment without any configuration on the Smart SFP. Other protocols must be configured or enabled on the Smart SFP before they can be applied in a network. As an example, the Maintenance Domain parameters for the CFM OAM protocol must be configured and aligned with other equipment in the same domain. The Smart SFP contains an integrated management function to allow retrieval and configuration of parameters from a central NOC. Access to the protocol parameters on the Smart SFP is enabled by an embedded remote management agent (RMA) software module integrated into some Nokia products (see Figure 7). The RMA software module acts as a device driver for Smart SFPs. It acts as a proxy or gateway between the Smart SFP and a network management system (NMS). The RMA software module provides the access to devices on the network while the application software provides an interface to the NOC. With this integrated management software, the Smart SFP behaves as a plugand-play device on the network. When a device is inserted for the first time with factory default settings, it is automatically detected on the network and can be configured for service from a central NOC. This reduces the installation effort and enables remote monitoring and troubleshooting of Smart SFPs at the edge of the network. Figure 7. RMA software module for access to Smart SFPs in a network Remote node Network management system Management application RMA software Packet switched network Packet driver Smart SFPs Virtualized remote management with an SNMP Gateway The remote management approach is the most integrated but requires the network operator to deploy the Nokia product release that supports this RMA software module. 10 Strategic white paper

To avoid depending on specific host node cards and software releases, and to avoid the need to upgrade the host node software for each new release of the Smart SFP, or simply to allow a faster introduction of new Smart SFPs or new releases of Smart SFPs, the RMA software application can be virtualized in a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Gateway. This software appliance can run in a separate server or on a virtual machine residing on the same hardware server as the NMS. It only needs Layer 2 connectivity to the managed SFPs. This implementation is called the Nokia Smart SFP Virtualized Management Solution. The advantages of this solution are summarized in Table 4. Table 4. Benefits of Smart SFP Virtualized Management Solution Benefit Open interfaces for easy integration Layer 2-to-Layer 3 gateway Automatic monitoring of the status of Smart SFPs Maintains database of Smart SFP configuration Scalable Background Uses the industry-standard SNMP interface and management models (MEF, ITU and IEEE MIBs) for integration under Nokia 5620 Service Aware Manager (SAM) and Nokia 1350 Optical Management System (OMS) or any other third-party OSS Layer 2 interface to smart devices Layer 3 interface for end users Reports problems using SNMP traps and notifications Backup and restore for all configuration Automatic upgrades to new releases From 10 to 10,000 Smart SFPs by adding server capacity Automated provisioning using SNMP-based scripts Conclusion The Nokia Layer 2 OAM Smart SFPs are a revolutionary new class of SFP that integrates intelligent and innovative system functions into an SFP module. Ethernet OAM tools are essential for service turn-up and Service Level Assurance in Carrier Ethernet networks. The Smart SFP provides network operators and service providers with these tools for monitoring and troubleshooting Ethernet services by simply replacing a conventional SFP with a Smart SFP. This solution reduces system and network complexity, uses less power and has smaller physical and carbon footprints while generating CAPEX and OPEX savings. The Smart SFP enables green initiatives for network operators and service providers and allows them to optimize their carbon footprint by reducing the amount of equipment, lowering power dissipation and reducing air conditioning costs. 11 Strategic white paper

The Smart SFPs provide easy solutions for monitoring and troubleshooting using standards-based protocols (IEEE, ITU-T and MEF) at various operational layers: Physical layer monitoring through remote digital diagnostics retrieval Link layer monitoring through instant-on support for Link OAM according to IEEE 802.3ah Service layer OAM using CFM as defined in IEEE 802.1ag and ITU-T Y.1731. These new capabilities are complemented by wire-speed performance with very low latency. The Smart SFPs serve a wide range of optical and reach applications: duplex fiber, single fiber bidirectional and single wavelength bidirectional, including CWDM with reaches up to 80 km at industrial temperature range. Bringing intelligence into SFPs simplifies operations and maintenance for network operators and service assurance applications. Ethernet products equipped with a Smart SFP provide service visibility at the network edge or demarcation in applications such as mobile backhaul, business Ethernet and Carrier wholesale. This service visibility is essential for rapid service commissioning and managing revenue-generating SLAs. For more information about Nokia solutions for the network edge, go to https://networks.nokia.com/solutions/integrated-packet-transport Acronyms CAPEX CE CFM CPE CWDM DDMI EMS EFM IEEE ITU-T MIB NID NMS capital expenditures Carrier Ethernet Connectivity Fault Management customer premises equipment coarse wave division multiplexing Digital Diagnostics Monitoring Interface element management system Ethernet in the First Mile Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector Management Information Base network interface device network management system 12 Strategic white paper

MEF NOC OAM OPEX PTP RMA SFP SLA SNMP UNI Metro Ethernet Forum Network Operations Center operations, administration and maintenance operational expenditures Precision Time Protocol remote management agent Small Form-factor Pluggable transceiver Service Level Agreement Network Management user-network interface References 1. Small Form Factor committee. Multi-source agreement INF-8074i, Specification for SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) Transceiver, Rev 1.0. May 12, 2001. 2. DDMI SFF-8472, Specification for Diagnostic Monitoring Interface for Optical Transceivers, Rev 11.0. September 14, 2010. 3. IEEE Std 802.3-2015, IEEE Standard for Ethernet, Clause 57 (Link OAM) (formerly IEEE 802.3ah, 2004). 4. IEEE Std 802.1Q -2014, IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks Bridges and Bridged Networks, clauses 18-22 (Connectivity Fault Management) (formerly IEEE 802.1ag, 2007). 5. ITU-T G.8013/ Y.1731, Operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) functions and mechanisms for Ethernet based networks. 6. IEEE Std 1588-2008, IEEE Standard for a Precision Clock Synchronization Protocol for Networked Measurement and Control Systems. 7. MEF 17, Service OAM Framework and Requirements, April, 2007. 8. MEF 30.1, Service OAM Fault Management Implementation Agreement Phase 2, April 2013. 9. MEF 35.1, Service OAM Performance Monitoring Implementation Agreement, May 2015. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or trade names of their respective owners. Nokia Oyj Karaportti 3 FI-02610 Espoo Finland Tel. +358 (0) 10 44 88 000 Product code: PR1607021303EN (August) Nokia 2016 nokia.com