WHY CHOOSE SMART MICROWAVE?

Transcription

1 WHITE PAPER AVIAT NETWORKS WHY CHOOSE SMART MICROWAVE? DEPLOYING SMART MICROWAVE NODES IS THE RIGHT CHOICE OVER SIMPLE ALL-OUTDOOR MICROWAVE TERMINALS

2 At Aviat Networks we believe in Smart Microwave microwave solutions that are not just one dimensional, focused on just one thing, but which are designed to address all aspects of designing, deploying and operating microwave backhaul networks. That s why we enable our customers to create smart microwave nodes with integrated Layer 3 intelligence. This unique approach delivers on the promise of any transport, any service into one easy-to-manage backhaul solution. Aviat smart microwave nodal solutions are also available in all indoor, split mount and zero footprint form factors for maximum flexibility and evolution! 2 AVIAT NETWORKS

3 MICROWAVE HISTORY: TERMINALS AND NODES THE EMERGENCE OF MICROWAVE NODES To understand the best microwave architecture for IP/MPLS, we need to look at where we ve come from. Traditionally, microwave systems were designed and deployed as a discrete terminal that would support a single radio path. The radio path itself could be configured as a non-protected, protected, or multi-channel (N+0/N+1) link. In terminal architectures there is typically no integration between separate, co-located radios/indoor unit and to interconnect radio links, required cabling and possibly a separate patch-panel, switch or multiplexer. For sites supporting multiple radio paths this approach proved to be very costly and complicated, as it required many different devices to buy, configure and manage, as well as taking up a lot of indoor rack space. In the early 2000s, so-called nodal systems emerged to address these drawbacks. Nodal microwave is a platform that supports multiple radio directions in one single device. Traffic traversing between different links stays within the one nodal device thus eliminating multiple microwave IDUs, as well as extra devices and interconnecting cabling. In addition, because it s a single system, there s only one device to configure and manage, with a single IP address. In the past, nodal microwave solutions incorporated a highly modular, hot-swappable design so that additional microwave paths and/or traffic interfaces could be easily added to an existing operational node. Nodal microwave has now evolved to integrate Carrier Ethernet (CE) switching and L3 IP/MPLS functionality to further reduce the number of site devices. In addition to supporting multiple independent radio directions, nodal systems now have traffic aggregation including x-connect, switching and routing, as well as resiliency features for high-speed data traffic, such as Link Aggregation (LA), Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) and Fast Re-route (FRR), all with carrier-grade protection switching times of typically 50 msec. TERMINAL 199x to 2003 NODAL 2004 to 2006 NODAL 2004 to present IDU IDU IDU MUX/SWITCH INU SWITCH INU/SWITCH NODAL: SIMPLE MANAGEMENT, FEWER BOXES Independent radio links No interaction between radios or between IDUs and switch Complex operations Multiple indoor units to deploy and manage Single nodal indoor unit (INU) Integrated traffic connections between radio directions No interaction between INU and switch Easier operations Fewer indoor units Single integrated system Integrated switching in INU Simple operations Minimal indoor footpint Figure 1: Microwave Evolution Terminals to Nodes AVIAT NETWORKS 3

4 ALL-OUTDOOR RADIOS (ODRS): BACK TO TERMINALS AGAIN ODRs arrived on the market in the early 2000s, when they were used mainly for lower capacity TDM applications and required large, bulky and difficult to terminate multi-pair cables. Fast-forward to the late 2000s, and a new generation of ODRs emerged that were designed for all-ethernet/ip applications with a simple Cat5e cable replacing the multi-pair cable. Other features, such as integrated Layer 2 switches, latest modems supporting high-qam applications, multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, and Power-over-Ethernet capability, enabled ODRs to be positioned as stand-alone microwave solutions for backhaul applications. Since they did not require an indoor unit, ODRs have been considered a more cost effective solution than splitmount. These systems were commonly looked upon as the next generation of microwave high capacity, alloutdoor packet microwave systems, replacing split-mount hybrid microwave platforms that had been a mainstay of the market for the preceding 20 years. ODR ARCHITECTURE LIMITATIONS However, despite this early promise ODRs failed to achieve the market share gains that were expected. Why is that? There are several reasons Lack of TDM support. Much of the mobile backhaul market is still heavily dependent on legacy TDM circuits to support 2G and in some cases 3G base station traffic. All-packet ODRs cannot support TDM without separate adapters that must be mounted indoors. Power Management. ODRs are not always simple to install, even without an indoor unit. ODRs can be powered via a separate DC cable (adding cost and additional tower lease charges), or a PoE adapter that is installed indoors or outdoors. In the latter case, the PoE adapter becomes a new single point of failure, and in many cases is invisible to the network management system. Reliability and Maintenance. In an ODR architecture, all equipment, including modems and switches, is located outdoors where it is more exposed to extremes of temperature instead of being located in a temperature controlled shelter or cabinet. More complex maintenance and repairs that require tower climbs and complex procedures to transfer configurations between the replaced and replacement units all contribute to operations complexity and higher costs. Aggregation Nodes. As the mobile network fills-in and expands, edge sites often become new aggregation nodes, where they need to be connected to two or more additional base stations. To enable this microwave must be nodal as detailed above, but this is not easily achieved by daisy-chaining multiple ODRs on the tower. In contrast, split-mount radios efficiently support complex radio nodes, with additional links being added easily with a minimum of disruptions to existing paths. Complex Configurations. Microwave links are often not simple non-protected paths. Operators also need to deploy 1+1 hot standby, space/frequency diversity, or N+0 aggregated links using L1LA and XPIC. These configurations invariably lead to compromises and complexity when using ODRs, even before you add the need for nodal support. Again, for split-mount systems these configurations, even at a nodal site, are routine. When ODRs aren t really all-outdoor. In many cases, the ODR will be connected to equipment either in a shelter or cabinet, such as a TDM adapter, cell site router or switch. Consequently, in the majority of deployment scenarios, the real benefits of an all-outdoor architecture are largely lost, since the radio is essentially employed in a split-mount arrangement, just with some other device instead of a microwave IDU. Not for Small Cells either. Many point to the emerging potential for microwave ODRs to connect the new generation of outdoor small cells as a significant new opportunity. However, the current solutions available on the market are not suitable for this application as they are too big, power intensive, costly, and complex to deploy. 4 AVIAT NETWORKS

5 IMPACT OF INTRODUCING L3 IP/MPLS Microwave NMS ODU IF ODU IF To support new business initiatives, fast and flexible delivery of new services is necessary. Combined with the pending network densification, cell sites will evolve from simply housing a base station, to one supporting a network architecture that accelerates the delivery of new services to achieve business goals the service delivery hub. IP is the only proven, scalable, future-proof technology upon which to meet these goals completely. As transport evolves to IP, routers are being deployed ubiquitously throughout mobile backhaul networks around the world, not only in the mature Tier 1 networks of Europe and the US but also in evolving networks in Africa and Asia. What happens to network architectures when routers are introduced at the cell site, and how does this affect potential deployment options for microwave backhaul? SPLIT-MOUNT MICROWAVE + REGULAR ROUTER The foremost and simplest option when moving to all-ip backhaul network is to deploy a stand-alone cell site router (CSR) next to your installed split mount microwave system at each site. In this way you can leverage best-ofbreed routing technology without disturbing your existing backhaul network. However, there are many potential issues and downsides of this approach: Added Cost/Space. Adding a router means an additional device to purchase, configure and manage. Demarcation Issues. A group different than the microwave transmission group often handles planning and deployment of routers, thus introducing issues around demarcation, complicating operations and fault-finding when problems occur. Management Complexity. Microwave and routers typically have separate management systems (even when purchased from the same vendor). Not Designed for Microwave. Most importantly, regular routers are designed for fiber networks, not for microwave and so lack features such as media awareness and the ability to respond appropriately to unique microwave behavior, like adaptive coding/modulation. This creates performance issues in the network. MICROWAVE IDU Router NMS Managed Element ROUTER Figure 2: Split-Mount Nodal Microwave + Stand Alone Router OUTDOOR RADIO TERMINAL + REGULAR ROUTER With the introduction of all-outdoor radio Ethernet radios, operators can now directly connect their microwave to a router, with the latter effectively taking the place of the microwave indoor unit in the shelter or cabinet. There is also a new generation of all-outdoor routers being introduced. This approach appears to be more efficient, yet still suffers from some of the same drawbacks seen when using a regular router with a split-mount microwave system, as well as those issues identified earlier when trying to build a backhaul network using all-outdoor radios exclusively: Management Complexity. Many devices to manage. Separate IP address and QoS configurations complicate operations (especially at nodal sites). Separate management systems for microwave and router. Microwave Complexity. Microwave configurations, such as 1+1, diversity, N+0/XPIC/L1LA, nodal sites, are more difficult or possibly not supported. Poor Performance. No media (microwave) awareness in the router. At a nodal site ODRs related to different radio paths don t talk to one another. Lower Reliability. Multiple ODRs require multiple PoE injectors, which may have lower MTBF than the radios themselves. Complex power management. Multiple PoE injectors, or costly/complex additional power cables. ODR ODR Microwave NMS 48 VDC PoE Router NMS Ethernet PoE 48 VDC Managed Element ROUTER Figure 3: All-Outdoor Nodal Microwave + Stand Alone Router ODR PoE 48 VDC AVIAT NETWORKS 5

6 AVIAT S SMART MICROWAVE NODES ADDING LAYER 3 INTELLIGENCE We have seen that deploying a regular or stand-alone router in a microwave backhaul network is a simple approach, but one that ultimately adds significant complexity and cost, and results in poorer network performance. We have also demonstrated that an all-outdoor radio strategy alone is insufficient to enable an efficient and cost-effective backhaul network. Now contrast that with Aviat s unique development in nodal microwave along with the latest market innovation, the industry s only integrated microwave router the CTR Capable of combining split-mount, all-outdoor, all-indoor, microwave, millimeter-wave, IF connected and Ethernet connected radios, the Aviat CTR 8000 provides a highly integrated solution for simplified and optimized microwave backhaul networks providing improved network uptime and lower overall total costs. Aviat s smart microwave nodes SINGLE NMS Aviat ProVision SPLIT-MOUNT MICROWAVE ODU (ODU 600) ALL INDOOR MICROWAVE IRU (IRU 600) IF INTERFACE IF INTERFACE!"#$%!"#$%!"#$% SPLIT-MOUNT TRUNKING MICROWAVE ODU (STR 600) ETHERNET/POE INTERFACE Aviat CTR 8000 Microwave Router ALL OUTDOOR MICROWAVE ODR (WTM 3200) ALL OUTDOOR E/V-BAND ODR (WTM 3300)!"#$%&'( 6 AVIAT NETWORKS

7 NODAL MICROWAVE SOLUTION WITH INTEGRATED LAYER 3 INTELLIGENCE Aviat smart microwave nodes use a single split mount nodal approach with virtualized high performance radio nodes and integrated IP/MPLS routing capability. This unique strategy consists of any radio (IRU 600, ODU 600, STR 600, WTM 3300, etc) deployed with any router/switch (CTR 8500, 8300, 8400, 8600 series models). Regardless of the number of radios, or whether the radios are IF or Ethernet connected, the resulting smart microwave nodes behave as one system with one IP address and one configuration just like a traditional split mount nodal microwave radio. The results are simplified operations and lower costs. Aviat s smart microwave nodes include: Nodal Microwave. Being one single system the Aviat smart node approach is easy to manage, configure and upgrade. This is in stark contrast to outdoor radios that are independently managed entities having separate IP address and QoS configurations for each device. These solutions complicate operations especially at nodal sites. Integrated Microwave Router. Because of CTR s Integrated L2 and L3 intelligence, the use of smart microwave nodes reduces the number of boxes to buy, deploy and maintain. This results in faster and more efficient service delivery and new revenue opportunities right from the transport network. In addition, these nodes are media aware all the way to Layer 3 so the routing protocols understand what s happening over microwave links for better performing networks. Single Management Interface. Regardless of the number of radios and router/switches at a given location, all assets can be managed with a single IP address using Aviat smart node technology. Using a single user interface is a radical departure from other solutions that require separate management solutions for the radio, L2 switch and router. The resulting smart microwave nodes provide an integrated solution for seamless operation and lower TCO. Aviat smart nodes combine the proven advantages of nodal microwave with the latest innovation of integrated microwave router supporting both IF-connected ODUs and Ethernet-connected ODRs, with built-in PoE. Zero Footprint. For locations where indoor space is not available an outdoor CTR solution can support smart microwave nodes. As the network densifies, today s edge sites will be tomorrow s nodal sites. Enjoy the benefits of of an outdoor smart microwave nodal package while future proofing yourself for pending network expansion. Aviat smart microwave nodes are SMARTER (service flexibility, media aware), PERFORMANCE (high capacity, best reliability), MADE SIMPLE (deployment and operations simplicity and lowest total cost of ownership). SPLIT-MOUNT OR OUTDDOR RADIOS + STAND-ALONE ROUTER AVIAT MICROWAVE NODES WITH INTEGRATED LAYER 3 INTELLIGENCE SMARTER MEDIA AWARENESS SERVICES POOR Microwave not integrated with L3 POOR Separate devices required Adaptive media awareness - common protocol across all devices Implemented with fewer boxes, integrated PERFORMANCE MADE SIMPLE CAPACITY RELIABILITY OPERATIONS TCO Meets today s needs and evolves to meet future capacity demands POOR 50 minutes more downtime per site per year. COMPLEX Many separate devices to manage: multiple management platforms, complex power management, complex demarcations HIGH More boxes, complex operations, lower reliability. 40% higher TCO Meets today s needs and evolves to meet future capacity demands No external PoE injectors, no single points of failure. Some electronics inside - lower MTTR SIMPLE Single virtualized device (1 QoS policy for entire node). Single EMS SIMPLE Fewer boxes, simpler, more reliable AVIAT NETWORKS 7

8 Aviat, Aviat Networks, and Aviat logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Aviat Networks, Inc. ProVision is a registered trademark of Aviat U.S., Inc. Aviat Networks, Inc. [2015). All Rights Reserved. Data subject to change without notice. _b_smartnode_univ_23jun15