Reference Architecture Components

Components Overview

The broadband edge is divided into several tiers of operation and configuration, as illustrated in Figure 1. The home network and access layers provide the subscriber’s entry point to the broadband network. The aggregation layer serves to multiplex the subscribers into a single link or group of links for transport efficiency. The broadband edge is the tier of the network where much of the service provisioning occurs. Subscribers are differentiated at this layer of the network and assigned to service profiles based on their authorized services. Usually, this differentiation is achieved through an exchange between the broadband network gateway (BNG) and the RADIUS server to authenticate and enable services dynamically per subscriber. The core provides transport, and various resources provide content (provider data center, video head end, and so on).

Figure 1: The Broadband Edge Architecture

Home and Access Network

The home network serves as the residential subscribers’ point of control for their broadband experience. The residential subscriber often purchases several service offerings that combine into something called multiplay (or triple play) services. These offerings often include high-speed Internet, voice over IP (VoIP), Internet Protocol television (IPTV), and video on demand (VoD). Home network devices include:

• Broadband modem: The line of demarcation onto the broadband network, which terminates as Ethernet or Coax, Passive Optical Network (PON) Optical Network Terminal / Optical Network Unit (ONT/ONU), or DSL. This is the cable/DSL/PON modem.

• Residential Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) router: This is the home router, or residential gateway.

• Wi-Fi Access Point: Residential users utilize either built-in Wi-Fi or a discrete access point to provide wireless access to home clients such as smartphones, printers, game consoles, and other appliances. The Wi-Fi access function is often integrated into the home CPE routing gateway.

• Clients of the home network: The devices in the home that use the broadband service. These include home computers, set-top boxes, printers, game consoles, DVRs, media players, and video cameras, to name a few. This list continues to expand.

The home network connects to the access network. Many broadband access technologies exist for broadband access including digital subscriber line (DSL), cable access, and passive optical networking (PON). The key function in the access network is the multiplexing and demultiplexing of multiple subscribers (hundreds or thousands) through the aggregation network and to the broadband edge for service delivery.

The subscriber accesses the network via an access protocol. Traditionally, Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) has been employed to permit subscriber access, although the current model leans more and more toward Internet Protocol over Ethernet (IPoE), which generally relies on Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Both PPPoE and IPoE/DHCP are endorsed by the Broadband Forum. See Figure 2 for an illustration of the WAN-facing interfaces.

Figure 2: WAN-Facing IP Interfaces in the Broadband Network

Transport mechanisms assist in establishing sessions between subscribers and services. Transport mechanisms enable several key functions of the broadband network to include establishment of the physical link and session, authentication, authorization, identification of the user, and network monitoring. Sessions can then be used to manage subscriber connection to the network.

While both PPPoE and IPoE are used today, the method used in forward-looking design is IPoE, as it is easily implemented.

In the access network, each subscriber has a discrete circuit, or connection, into the broadband network. At some point, all of these subscribers must converge onto a single service aggregation point (a single device or a cluster of devices) for transport to and from the services to which they are subscribed. The traffic must be aggregated onto a single transport while maintaining separation between subscriber traffic. This is done using virtual LAN (VLAN) aggregation at the access layer. There are a couple of choices for VLAN design. Service VLAN (S-VLAN) provides a dedicated VLAN for each service. In this model multiple subscribers share individual VLANs (video subscribers, for instance, would receive video services from a single IPTV VLAN). Customer VLAN (C-VLAN) uses a dedicated VLAN for each individual subscriber or household. This is often referred to as the 1:1 model because each VLAN is associated to a single customer as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: VLAN Design Architecture: S-VLAN (Shared) Compared to C-VLAN (Dedicated)

The aggregation network in this solution architecture assumes a 1:1 C-VLAN model. The outer VLAN tag represents all traffic from the access node, and the inner VLAN tag represents each subscriber household. This design enables optimal subscriber scale on the broadband edge.

There are various methods of provisioning types of VLANs for aggregating user traffic. Bandwidth requirements often dictate the need to deploy both C-VLANs and S-VLANs, and the Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution architecture supports both. Because of the wide array of services and bandwidth requirements of modern multiplay networks, we recommend the implementation of hybrid VLAN (H-VLAN) architecture to optimize real-time media and Internet traffic.

Aggregation Network

The various access nodes are often aggregated into fewer connections for optimal transport to the broadband edge. Aggregation can be done in several ways. In some instances, it makes sense to directly connect access nodes (DSLAM, OLT, and so on) into the broadband edge. A dual-homed topology can also be used, where each access node is redundantly connected into an aggregation node; the aggregation node itself is connected as a full or partial mesh, with multiple connections existing between each of the aggregation routers. Finally, a ring topology can be employed. In a ring topology, the aggregation nodes are connected redundantly to each other in a ring, forming a right and left redundancy path. Some access/aggregation designs employ optical rings and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology. In this design, access nodes are aggregated directly onto optical rings. The recommended topology is driven by cost and need for resiliency, although the ring topology offers the best mix of redundancy and cost optimization, providing redundant paths for traffic and fewer interconnections. A focus on simplicity should drive any effective aggregation network design, as this network tier serves only to aggregate subscribers to the edge network. The Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution accommodates all of these aggregation options.

Edge Network

It is at the broadband edge that much of the reference architecture’s functionality occurs. The broadband edge is the tier of the network where BNGs are used to perform subscriber management including session and circuit aggregation, authentication/authorization/accounting (AAA), policy and traffic management functions, among others. The BNGs also manage addressing and service attachment, and handle the multiplexing and demultiplexing of traffic to and from the individual subscriber.

This section consists of the following subsections:

• Broadband Network Gateways
• Logical Interfaces
• DHCP Enhancements
• Service Delivery Points

Broadband Network Gateways

An important area of design consideration is the placement of BNGs in the network; they should be placed in a way that optimizes service activation and attachment. In a centralized BNG model, a BNG is placed in the point of presence (POP), close to the core network. A distributed model places the BNGs in COs much closer to the subscriber. In a hybrid model, BNGs are placed close to the subscriber and in the POP, depending on subscriber density and bandwidth requirements from the serving office. These three models are shown in Figure 4. The recommended edge architecture is the hybrid model, as it enables the best mix of flexibility and service impact and can be tailored to fit both the service footprint and the traffic load easier than either the distributed or centralized models. In any case, the Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution architecture and MX Series BNG accommodate all of these options.

Figure 4: Broadband Edge Network Architectural Models

Each of these models has trade-offs. The distributed BNG model increases device count as more BNGs are required, although the cost can be mitigated somewhat because the distributed BNG serves as a pre-aggregation router, minimizing interconnections into the aggregation layer. The centralized BNG model requires fewer devices at the network edge; however, this approach could result in potentially higher costs in the aggregation layer. The main benefit to the hybrid BNG model, where a mixture of centralized and distributed BNGs is employed, is flexibility. The hybrid model allows a central BNG to be efficiently employed in a low-subscriber density area or a new market. In areas with high density, a distributed BNG can be employed. Another value of a hybrid architecture, particularly when seamless MPLS is involved, is that the service edge can be placed in the location that is most appropriate to the service being terminated. This enables delivery of a unified metro architecture that might terminate different services in different models on the exact same infrastructure. For instance, it might be desirable to terminate high-speed internet access very close to the core on a centralized BNG, while services that have very strict latency and high bandwidth requirements, such as IPTV, VoD, and VoIP, can be terminated on a distributed BNG to enable direct distribution to the appropriate resource on the provider network. Juniper Networks MX Series 3D Universal Edge Router portfolio supports all these models. Additionally, they support mobile and business services that enable network consolidation.

DHCP Enhancements

The architectural elements of the broadband edge design that enable consolidation of services at the edge include network design, support for legacy and current access protocols, and the interoperability with the aggregation network. Starting at the access layer of the network, one requirement for the new edge architecture is support for a mix of access protocols, including PPPoE and IPoE/DHCP.

The network’s ability to identify a subscriber and attach the appropriate services involves identifying the user, authenticating and authorizing the user, and establishing a session over the logical interface. In traditional broadband networks these actions were performed using PPPoE. Now, providers are moving more toward the use of IPoE (which relies on DHCP), especially for voice and video service. See Figure 2.

Although IPoE is missing one key aspect that is inherently supported by PPPoE (namely, an IP session monitoring and keepalive mechanism), it does provide benefits to the broadband provider and subscriber and is an appropriate substitute in some cases. Broadband Forum TR-146 Subscriber Sessions is a good reference for more information. It is important to note that widespread adoption of DHCP is also driven by the need to consolidate residential and business edge networks onto a single, universal edge. In light of that drive, support for DHCP to handle both residential and business subscribers is essential.

The Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution incorporates a broad set of DHCP-specific enhancements that address many of the DHCP challenges already discussed, including:

• IPoE/DHCP session monitoring and accelerated session recovery

• DHCP session integration with AAA/RADIUS and policy layers—for example, policy and charging rules function (PCRF) and RADIUS change of authorization (CoA)

• Processing of subscriber access loop information encoded in DHCP control messages

• Multiple address management deployment models, such as DHCP local server, DHCP relay, and DHCP proxy

The Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution also maintains concurrent support for PPPoE and DHCP-based subscriber attachment. Figure 5shows the packet flow in the Junos OS DHCP authentication functionality.

Figure 5: Enhanced DHCP Authentication

Service Delivery Points

Another architectural element and design consideration is the placement of service delivery points within a broadband network. A single-edge or multi-edge architecture can be used, and, for stateful redundancy, a virtual chassis design can be employed.

In a multi-edge architecture, a BNG is implemented per service. For example, one BNG might be implemented for high-speed internet access; another might be configured for IPTV and VoD. This enables physical separation of traffic profiles and requirements, although it imposes added expense in that each edge device must be connected redundantly to the backhaul/aggregation network as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Multi-Edge Network Architecture

Alternatively, in a single-edge architecture, a single BNG supports all broadband services. The concept of unifying multiple services onto a single edge platform, shown in Figure 7, simplifies network design and improves management and costs.

The MX Series supports both single-edge and multi-edge architectures, and recommends a single-edge with a virtual-chassis design for the agile and resilient deployment of all services. This approach optimizes CapEx and OpEx.

Figure 7: Single-Edge Architecture

Core

The design of the core network and resources is somewhat peripheral to the discussion, but it can impact design decisions. In many cases, MPLS is used as the transport for all core networks. One concept gaining favor is the use of seamless MPLS. Seamless MPLS enables the provider to design and operate a true end-to-end network that leverages the strengths and capabilities of MPLS at every layer. This approach is fully supported by the Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution architecture.

Juniper Networks Universal Edge

The Juniper Networks Broadband Edge solution is part of a larger universal edge solution. The universal edge is a consolidated architecture that joins multiple edge networks into a single, unified edge design. While this reference architecture covers only the broadband edge segment, providers that operate in multiple business segments can multiply the cost and efficiency savings from one segment and leverage that optimization across each segment. Though many service providers handle these networks as discrete entities, with Juniper Networks Universal Edge, the edge of the network can serve all segments, reducing the need for redundant networks and contributing to lower operating and capital expenses. The broadband edge is an introduction to the universal edge for many providers. Seeing this same level of cost and operational optimization across each of the business segments and unifying the operation of the edge network can revolutionize a business.

Even in cases where separate edge networks are maintained, the ability to use a single edge platform—the MX Series 3D Universal Edge Router—reduces OpEx by simplifying and streamlining sparing, maintenance, upgrade, and troubleshooting tasks.