The high-density Cisco Metro Ethernet provisioning solution helps service providers to turn on subscribers quickly at a low cost.
Ethernet in the last mile is an emerging technology, especially in densely populated areas. Not only does Ethernet provide an alternative to DSL and cable, but its ability to support a variety of services through high bandwidth creates new opportunities for service providers. ETTX stands for "Ethernet to the X," where X typically means home, building, campus, or small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). ETTX is Ethernet access technology using a metropolitan-area Ethernet infrastructure.
ETTX BUSINESS CASE
To deliver tailored services that customers demand, service providers must change their assumptions about how to design and deploy networks. In the past, a transport-centric approach to building networks focused on first building a network infrastructure, then delivering services that the infrastructure could support. But a new business-centric approach recognizes that services increasingly influence network infrastructure. This is especially true with Metro Ethernet networks.
A network design and deployment model built on services puts important emphasis on provisioning services on the network. The faster a service provider can get a customer fully operational on the network, the faster it can realize revenue. Turning up services quickly is important because the early adoption phase of technology is when the highest revenue can be obtained. And as technology matures and competition increases, technology tends to become a commodity, therefore tools must provide service quickly and accurately at a minimal cost.
To generate new revenue, providers are expanding their service offerings with connectivity services such as Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPNs, as well as value-added services such as storage, videoconferencing, and hosted IP telephony-all enabled by Metro Ethernet networks. For the best return on investment (ROI), providers must deploy multiple services over a common Metro Ethernet infrastructure and implement different capabilities at different layers (Layer 1, 2, and 3) where they can be delivered in a scalable and cost-effective manner.
Early feedback from adopters in Europe and financial models show potential profitability (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization [EBITDA]) between 18 and 36 months. Analysts warn that keeping payback within a sustainable period requires a healthy revenue mix of about 60 percent SMBs and 40 percent residential customers. Currently, disposable income for generic broadband services in European families does not exceed 80 euros (about US$105) per month.
According to the research firm IDC, at year-end 2003 there were 4.3 million residential Metro Ethernet Internet subscribers globally, and the percentage of consumer-based subscriptions will remain stable throughout its forecast period at roughly 90 percent (see Figure 1). Thus service providers that are well positioned with provisioning systems will be best able to capture the growth in subscribers, because they will be able to turn on subscriber service quickly using a provisioning system. Without a provisioning system, service providers are forced to perform error-prone manual updates on several different systems. A lot of the manual errors can be eliminated using a provisioning system where a customer service representative enters all the data at one time and then the provisioning system automatically updates the components that require the subscriber-related data.
Figure 1. Worldwide Residential and Business Metro Ethernet Access Revenue, Current and Forecast
The demand for Metro Ethernet is already present in many markets. It can be a compelling solution in metropolitan areas for markets such as:
• Telcos and post, telephone, telegraph (PTT) services (retail and wholesale)-Bandwidth for bundled, high-speed services is being choked by "local loop" (technology and regulatory) issues. Fiber direct to the building, coupled with the economic efficiency of Ethernet, is a long-term solution and a logical migration path for copper-based access infrastructures.
• Utilities-These companies may include fiber cabling in their pipe-laying activities and sell the bandwidth to service providers.
• Property developers-Apartment complexes, condominiums, university dormitories, townhouse complexes, and other multidwelling units can install Ethernet and add value to their properties at low cost while making it easy to upgrade services.
• Government-Local and national governments seeking to provide networking capability for their own agencies or local communities can greatly benefit from Metro Ethernet.
• Cable operators-Cable technology has been adapting to the deployment of fiber since 1994, leading to hybrid solutions known as hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC). Today, many of these HFC networks face increasing demand for bandwidth, pushing fiber closer and closer to end users. While planning deep fiber deployment, many cable operators are considering Ethernet as a complementary or alternative solution. Multiple system operators (MSOs) have also discovered Metro Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. They are evolving their networks with the integration of IP technology, reduction of cost of transport, IP-based management tool sets, and distribution of locations that share a central video server. Gigabit Ethernet introduces the following benefits:
– Rapidly displacing Digital Video Broadcast-Asynchronous Serial Interface (DVB-ASI)
– Less expensive (for example, about US$150 rather than US$3000 for a server port)
– More flexible (easy to switch and route streams)
ETTX PROVISIONING REQUIREMENTS
The provisioning applications for ETTX networks must support:
• Provisioning of the network-An ETTX solution must configure the underlying network, which must be able to support advanced services such as voice, video, and data. Then the solution must provision subscribers as well as map subscribers to the desired services.
• Voice, video, and data services-If it is expensive to provide all possible network services, a service provider could partner with other service providers that specialize in advanced services.
• Multiple unique service providers-The network must be capable of routing subscribers to the correct service provider partner that provides the required advanced service. This feature is also referred to as "equal access."
• Flexible billing options-The ETTX solution must support combined, integrated billing as well as separate billing. This gives the service provider the flexibility of supporting its own billing strategies as well as the partner service provider's billing strategy.
• Data security-Preventing theft of services is a major challenge for service providers. If they cannot detect intrusion and theft by IP spoofers, they can lose potential revenue and face a rise in their capital expenditure to manage the additional traffic even though the number of paying subscribers remains unchanged.
• Management of service provider address block-Managing the same subscribers for multiple service providers requires careful management of addresses, which uniquely identify subscribers and their devices. The devices and subscribers are managed across several service providers, so IP addressing has to be coordinated accordingly.
• Consolidated customer premises equipment (CPE)-There may be a limit for multiple CPE to be placed on customer premises for each service being provided. Therefore, ETTX solutions must be able to support CPE that receives multiple services such as voice, video, and data.
• Flexible IP address plan-One requirement imposed by the Cisco® ETTX network is a scalable Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) server that can help segregate Internet service providers (ISPs) using VLANs. The DHCP server must allow for the configuration of one or several IP address scopes per VLAN. Moreover, service providers should be able to control the number of IP addresses per port or per customer, so that premium fees can be charged for extra ports beyond the basic allocation.
• Scalability-The network must allow for growth. Network service providers should not have to do a wholesale reconfiguration of their networks or replace existing equipment. The service provider solution must scale incrementally to accommodate new subscribers. This approach preserves existing investments and minimizes additional capital expenditure.
• Traffic segregation-Without traffic planning and policies in place, service providers must engineer to the worst maximum case. Segregation of traffic gives service providers the ability to engineer networks with the correct equipment and communication facilities to ensure maximum bandwidth at the lowest possible cost.
• User and service auditing-Service providers must keep track of all current leases as well as those granted in the past. The lease history is matched against the subscriber's device MAC address to correlate users with their IP address lease information. Some countries require service providers to preserve their traceability data for one year or longer because this information can be used to track down unlawful use of services. When IP history data is captured, service providers need the capability to retrieve the past and current lease history of a user by querying the lease information associated with a MAC address.
The Cisco provisioning solution (Figure 2) meets all of these requirements.
Figure 2. Cisco Approach to Provisioning ETTX
The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution consists of Cisco CNS Configuration Engine, Cisco CNS Network Registrar, Cisco Ethernet switches, and a service-layer billing and workflow engine. Cisco CNS Network Registrar and Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provide well-defined interfaces that can be used to easily adapt the products into the service provider environment. Typically these products are interfaced into the service provider's existing workflow engine, saving capital and operational expenses.
HOW THE PROVISIONING SOLUTION WORKS
The provisioning process begins by collecting subscriber information by the means of a Web-based application, which may be part of a billing or workflow-engine application (service-layer activation). The Web application forwards the switch MAC and port assignment for the subscriber's PC to Cisco CNS Network Registrar, then places the configuration attributes (also known as configlets) for the Cisco Ethernet switch into the Cisco CNS Configuration Engine database.
The primary challenge is to assign an IP address to a paid subscriber whose device is connected to a Cisco Ethernet switch port. That implies that Cisco CNS Network Registrar also has the intelligence to distinguish a known switch from one that might belong to someone attempting to steal services. To overcome this challenge, Cisco CNS Network Registrar concatenates the switch MAC address and port number to form a unique ID that can be configured and stored into its database. The unique ID is used to filter out traffic from unknown switches.
When a device is plugged to a port on the Cisco Ethernet switch, it generates an Option 82 packet containing the switch MAC address and port number. Upon receiving this packet, Cisco CNS Network Registrar concatenates the switch MAC address and port number information and compares them against a list of known IDs before allocating an IP address to the device. If there is no match, the request is rejected.
OBTAINING AN IP ADDRESS
When a device is initially plugged in a port on the Cisco Ethernet switch, the switch generates an Option 82 DHCP packet allowing the switch to insert its MAC address and port number to which the device is connected in the DHCP packet. The switch uses the field Switch Id to store this data. Together, the switch MAC address and the port number are used to distinguish a subscriber. Upon receiving the Option 82 packet, Cisco CNS Network Registrar, by means of extension scripts or expression capability, generates a unique ID that is the concatenation of the MAC address specified in the switch ID value and the port number. The unique ID is used in the lookup process to ensure that the Ethernet switch is not a rogue device belonging to unsubscribed users. Afterwards, Cisco CNS Network Registrar returns an IP address and creates an entry in its database to pair the IP address with the unique ID.
OBTAINING DEVICE CONFIGURATION
After the device is assigned an IP address, the Web application establishes a connection with Cisco CNS Configuration Engine to download the parameters used for device configuration. Cisco CNS Configuration Engine picks up the configuration attributes previously written by the Web application in its database, then delivers the configuration into the switch. The configuration contains updates for the port. The configuration either activates the port or moves it from a default VLAN to a VLAN that provides access to the Internet.
Figure 3 details the events that occur for the provisioning of a subscriber calling a customer service representative (CSR) to obtain service. Cisco products also support user self-provisioning. Most of the flow diagram for user self-provisioning would be the same as Figure 3.
Figure 3. Provisioning Process Flow
The provisioning diagram outlines one possible business implementation. The Cisco provisioning solution is very flexible and easily adaptable into the service provider's operating environment.
1. The process starts with a customer calling a CSR asking for a service to be provided. The CSR collects the customer information and enters it into a Web-based application. After the data has been entered:
• The Web application sends the switch MAC address and the subscriber port number on the Ethernet switch to Cisco CNS Network Registrar.
• The Web application populates the switch port configuration templates in Cisco CNS Configuration Engine.
• The Web application instructs Cisco CNS Configuration Engine to activate the port on the switch.
2. Cisco CNS Network Registrar reserves a lease for the switch MAC address and port number.
3. Cisco CNS Configuration Engine downloads the configuration template to the Ethernet switch.
4. The subscriber boots the PC, resulting in an Option 82 packet being sent in the DHCP Discover message to Cisco CNS Network Registrar.
5. Cisco CNS Network Registrar maps the switch MAC address and port number to an IP address and allocates an IP address to the subscriber device.
6. The subscriber is now connected to the network.
The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution provides supporting network elements and management applications that are easily adaptable into a service provider's network. The basic solution consists of Cisco CNS Configuration Engine, Cisco CNS Network Registrar, Cisco Ethernet switches, and a third-party billing and workflow application.
CISCO CNS CONFIGURATION ENGINE
Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is a secure and scalable deployment and configuration-management application that provides an intelligent network interface to applications and users, supporting up to 5000 Cisco CPEs. Integrated with the Cisco Configuration Express ordering solution, Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provides an end-to-end, hands-free deployment solution for the entire portfolio of Cisco CPE based on Cisco IOS® Software. Cisco CNS Configuration Engine securely interfaces to Cisco devices through embedded agents in Cisco IOS Software using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. It also serves as the deployment solution for CPE-based network services and provides centralized, template-based configuration management and programmatic interface to customer operations support systems (OSSs).
Cisco CNS Configuration Engine is a self-contained, mountable rack unit that requires minimal configuration and can be installed in minutes. Using its intuitive, task-oriented user interface, network engineers can immediately begin automating routine deployment and configuration tasks with minimal training. Cisco CNS Configuration Engine provides an open publish-and-subscribe Extensible Markup Language (XML) interface for easy integration into an existing OSS, business support system (BSS), or workflow system. Users can immediately start creating new service offerings or enhancing existing offerings. For example, Cisco CNS Configuration Engine can be customized to fully automate routine deployment and configuration tasks.
The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution uses Cisco CNS Configuration Engine to deliver the switch-port configurations by means of a scalable and secure interface.
CISCO CNS NETWORK REGISTRAR
Cisco CNS Network Registrar delivers highly scalable and highly reliable DHCP, DNS, and Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) services to help enable efficient and effective provisioning of network devices and services. The product provides a complete DNS, DHCP, and TFTP server along with graphically based and scriptable command-line interface (CLI) administrative functions for configuring, automating, and simplifying IP networking services.
Large enterprises and Internet service providers use Cisco CNS Network Registrar to efficiently administer DNS and DHCP services on large IP networks from Cisco Systems®. The product is designed to meet the high-end performance, provisioning, scalability, and reliability requirements of service providers.
Cisco CNS Network Registrar supports DHCP Relay Agent Information Option (RFC3046), also known as Option 82. This capability allows the service provider to implement IP address or parameter-assignment policies, such as assigning a device with the IP address that was previously assigned to the device it replaces. It automates common tasks such as IP address assignment and management, DHCP and client policy definition and distribution, and daily server maintenance. Features such as the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory interface facilitate integration of DNS and DHCP services with other management and provisioning applications. Performance-optimized functions provide fast setup and task execution, and an availability-tuned architecture helps ensure reliable, consistent client services delivery.
With Cisco CNS Network Registrar, the Cisco ETTX provisioning solution offer a scalable and secure interface to handle IP address management
CISCO ETHERNET SWITCHES
Cisco Catalyst® 2950, Catalyst 3550, Catalyst 3750, and Catalyst 4500 series switches provide high availability, security, and quality of service (QoS) to enhance network operations. With a range of Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet configurations, these Cisco Ethernet switches can serve as both a powerful access-layer switch for medium enterprise wiring closets and as a backbone switch for small networks. Customers can deploy networkwide intelligent services such as advanced QoS, rate-limiting, Cisco security access control lists (ACLs), multicast management, and high-performance IP routing while maintaining the simplicity of traditional LAN switching. Embedded in the switches is Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) Software, which allows users to simultaneously configure and troubleshoot multiple switches using a standard Web browser. Cisco CMS Software provides new configuration wizards that greatly simplify the implementation of converged networks and intelligent network services.
The Cisco Ethernet switches provide the User-Network Interface (UNI). It is the device to which the user can connect a PC, IP telephone, and video set-top box.
THIRD-PARTY BILLING AND WORKFLOW ENGINES
The billing and order-management systems provide the GUIs used to enter customer billing-related information as well as services desired. These GUIs interface to a workflow engine that provides interfaces to the underlying network management applications and network elements. In the Cisco ETTX provisioning solution, these elements are Cisco CNS Configuration Engine and Cisco CNS Network Registrar. Many service providers already have billing and workflow engines, but for those without one, Cisco can provide the names of providers who have integrated into the Cisco ETTX provisioning solution.
SCALING THE SOLUTION
The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution can provision up to 10,000 subscribers. Using Cisco CNS Network Registrar and Cisco CNS Configuration Engine, the Cisco provisioning solution can scale to manage millions of subscribers. All that is needed is a workflow engine, along with interfaces to order-management and billing systems. The workflow engine can then interface to the provisioning groups through Cisco CNS Network Registrar and Cisco CNS Configuration Engine (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Scaling the Cisco ETTX Provisioning Solution
Cisco ETTX Provisioning Benefits
Table 1 provides detail on the features and benefits of the Cisco ETTX provisioning solution.
Table 1. Cisco ETTX Provisioning Features and Benefits
Feature
Benefits
Zero-Touch Service Activation
• Facilitates fully automated service provisioning
• Configures the following Cisco access devices for services: Cisco Catalyst 2950,Catalyst 3550, Catalyst 3750, and Catalyst 4000 series switches
Flow-Through Provisioning
Offers complete flow-through process from order entry to activation of service
IP Address Assignment
• Provides flexible definition of IP address assignment criteria
• Assigns IP address to clients intelligently
IP Address Pools Management
• Manages different pools of IP addresses for different assignment criteria
• Administers DHCP and DNS services
Traceability of IP History
• Provides complete history of subscribers' IP leases
• Supports different traceability reporting mechanisms
API
Provides a JAVA API facilitating integration to the applications in the service provider environment
Equal Access
Facilitates the use of partners to provide high-level, advanced services such as voice, video, Internet access, etc.
WHAT IS EQUAL ACCESS AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Market and regulatory forces are compelling service providers to open up their networks so that subscribers can specify their own choice of ISP or content provider. Although this trend appears to open up networks to competitors, it actually helps service providers increase real broadband-subscriber penetration and generate additional revenue. The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution supports equal access by using sourced-based addressing to VLAN assignment mapping. Each service provider is assigned a unique VLAN and a pool of IP addresses is assigned to each VLAN. Thus, when a subscriber is assigned an IP address, the IP address is associated with a VLAN and a unique service provider.
Equal-access networks support a wide range of subscriber benefits:
• Ability to select the content provider or ISP of choice
• Service on demand
• Broadband access with no or minimal delay for service activation
• Choice of services rather than one standard package
• Consolidated billing and service management
Equal access gives service providers the ability to offer its customers advanced services through partnerships. The network can route subscribers to other service providers for services such as Internet access, voice, video, and so forth. This way, the network service provider can focus on providing access to the subscriber and can partner with other providers to provide advanced services.
Value Proposition of the Cisco ETTX Provisioning Solution
The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution can help service providers quickly deliver services to subscribers. This end-to-end solution is based on the Cisco CNS Network Registrar and Cisco CNS Configuration Engine, two Cisco products that are widely deployed by many customers. Service providers can integrate their existing back-end applications, such as service activation or billing, with the solution through a workflow engine. Because of the bundled pricing available with the solution, service providers can deploy a comprehensive provisioning solution without a significant investment, while enjoying the benefits of industry-leading Cisco support and technology. The Cisco ETTX provisioning solution delivers a cost-effective way for service providers to offer competitive rates to their subscribers.
For more information, contact your local Cisco sales representative or visit http://www.cisco.com.
