Service providers of any access technology (DSL, cable, mobile, and so on) targeting residential and business consumers must find new ways to get maximum leverage from their existing infrastructure, while differentiating their offerings with enhanced IP services.

The Cisco Service Control Application for Broadband adds a new layer of service intelligence and control to existing networks that can:

Cisco provides complete network FCAPS (Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, Security) Management.

Two interfaces are provided for network management:

Where the Cisco Service Control Application for Broadband (SCA BB) enforces different policies on different subscribers and tracks usage on an individual subscriber basis, the Cisco Service Control Management Suite (SCMS) Subscriber Manager (SM) may be used as middleware software for bridging between the OSS and the SCE platforms. Subscriber information is stored in the SM database and can be distributed between multiple platforms according to actual subscriber placement.

The SM provides subscriber awareness by mapping network IDs to subscriber IDs. It can obtain subscriber information using dedicated integration modules that integrate with AAA devices, such as Radius or DHCP servers.

Subscriber information may be obtained in one of two ways:

Service configuration management is the ability to configure the general service definitions of a service control application. A service configuration file containing settings for traffic classification, accounting and reporting, and control is created and applied to an SCE platform. SCA BB provides tools to automate the distribution of these configuration files to SCE platforms. This simple, standards-based approach makes it easy to manage multiple devices in a large network.

Service Control provides an easy-to-use GUI to edit and create these files and a complete set of APIs to automate their creation.

The Cisco Service Control solution generates usage data and statistics from the SCE platform and forwards them as Raw Data Records (RDRs), using a simple TCP-based protocol (RDR-Protocol). The Cisco Service Control Management Suite (SCMS) Collection Manager (CM) software implements the collection system, listening in on RDRs from one or more SCE platforms and processing them on the local machine. The data is then stored for analysis and reporting functions, and for the collection and presentation of data to additional OSS systems such as billing.

*Titles and quantities of documents will vary. You must order the type and quantity of documentation sets when you order the hardware.

There are four topology-related parameters:

The SCE 1000 contains various mechanisms to monitor the status and to detect failures. The main mechanisms are:

The SCE 1000 includes a Network Interface Card with a bypass mechanism that is enabled upon SCE 1000 failure. In addition, when connected in-line it can also be enabled in normal operation to simultaneously bypass traffic flow to the other side and direct it internally for analysis. In this case it maintains "receive-only"-like monitoring functions, when control functionality is not required.

The bypass card supports the following four modes:

Typically, the SCE 1000 is connected on a full duplex line between two devices (Router, BRAS, etc.). When the SCE 1000 is installed as a bump-in-the-wire, it physically resides on the data link between the subscriber side and the network side, and can both receive and transmit traffic.

Figure 3.1. Bump-in-the-Wire Installation

A bump-in-the-wire installation is referred to as inline connection mode.

In external splitting, an external optical splitter resides physically on the GBE link between the subscriber side and the network side. In this topology, the traffic passes through the external splitter, which splits traffic to the SCE 1000. The external splitter is connected to the SCE 1000 via Rx links only. The SCE 1000, therefore, receives traffic only. It does not transmit.

Figure 3.2. External Splitting Topology

An external splitting installation is referred to as receive-only connection mode.

Note that in an external splitting installation, the SCE 1000 has only traffic monitoring capabilities.

Using two SCE 1000 platforms on parallel links provides redundancy for all SCE 1000 features. In case of failure in the active platform, the backup SCE 1000 unit takes over.

Using redundant SCE 1000 platforms is applicable as an overlay to a customer’s redundant topology, on condition that the entire traffic of a specific subscriber (end station, subnet or VLAN) is flowing through one link only. Both links may be active, providing that the subscriber traffic is mutually exclusive.

This redundancy solution addresses any failure in the SCE 1000 platform itself. It is based on the idea that any fatal hardware or software failure will cause the platform to “cut” the link. A “cut” link will cause the routers/switches on both ends to switch the traffic to the standby link. On the standby link, the traffic is analyzed and policies enforced by the standby SCE 1000, which, after the failure, acts as the active SCE 1000.

Note that when both links are simultaneously independently active and redundant for the other link (as is the case when HSRP with two virtual routers is used), if one link fails, its traffic is directed to the other link. However, the overall supported load in the link that is now carrying all the traffic is only equal to one link, not two.

During setup of this topology, the configuration of the two SCE 1000 platforms is done through multi-box configuration. This ensures that both hold the same configurations and policies. The functional operation of switching from the active to standby, SCE 1000 is contingent upon the fact that the two SCE 1000 platforms are in the same Domain. All configurations performed on this Domain are automatically updated on both SCE Platforms. Both boxes should also be assigned to the same Subscriber Domain. For more information on Domains, see the Cisco SCMS Subscriber Manager User Guide.

The common protocols used for redundancy traffic switching between network elements such as routers and switches in networks are Spanning-Tree in layer2, HSRP in layer3 (usually used in data-centers), and other common routing protocols like OSPF or RIP.

The transition to the backup SCE 1000 platform is transparent. Once the routers/switches detected that traffic has been cut, they start sending traffic through the redundant link. After this occurs, the failed SCE 1000 can be fixed/replaced with no downtime, since the box is effectively disconnected from the network. After fixing/replacing the failed SCE 1000, you must copy the configuration of the current active SCE 1000 to the fixed/replaced SCE 1000.

The backup and restore procedures used for copying policies and Service Configurations from one SCE 1000 to the next are detailed in the Service Control Application Suite for Broadband User Guide.

In a link connection via an external optical splitter, SCE 1000 failure does not affect traffic flow, which continues through the external optical splitter. When the SCE 1000 detects a failure that requires a recover by reboot, it immediately switches to Cutoff mode, stopping all traffic flow over the link until the SCE 1000 unit is restored to operation.

When operation resumes, the defined operational bypass mode is automatically resumed.

The configuration of a bump-in-the-wire installation depends on the remaining two factors.

Redundancy requires two platforms on parallel links, one active and one standby, in inline topology. When the active SCE 1000 platform detects a failure situation, it will immediately switch to Cutoff mode, causing the routers/switches on both ends to switch the traffic to the standby link and thus activate the standby SCE 1000 platform.

There are two options when the failed SCE 1000 platform is finished reloading:

When a single SCE 1000 is deployed, the user may decide that in case of a failure, maintaining the network link is more important than providing the SCE 1000 functionality. In this scenario, when the SCE 1000 detects a failure that requires a reboot process for recovering, it immediately switches to Bypass mode, allowing all traffic to bypass the SCE 1000. The SCE 1000 stays in Bypass mode maintaining the network link, albeit without SCE 1000 processing, until the SCE 1000 fully recovers from the failure and is ready to resume normal functioning.

Alternatively, the user may decide that the SCE 1000 functionality is sufficiently crucial to require severing the link if the SCE 1000 platform fails. In this case, when the SCE 1000 detects a failure that requires a reboot process for recovering, it immediately switches to Cutoff mode, stopping all traffic flow. The SCE 1000 stays in Cutoff mode, halting all traffic, until it fully recovers from the failure and is ready to resume normal functioning. In Cutoff the physical interface is blocked, enabling the network device connected to the SCE 1000 to sense that the link is down.

The connection mode parameter refers directly to the physical topology in which the SCE 1000 is installed. Installation is possible in either of the two following modes:

The connection mode parameter is determined by the physical deployment of the SCE 1000 as follows:

As described in the section The Bypass Mechanism, the bypass card supports four different modes. The following two modes are possible when the SCE 1000 is not operational due to platform failure or boot:

The Forwarding mode enables control of traffic flow and is not compatible with the non-operational status.

In a single SCE 1000 topology, the value of this parameter is determined by whether or not the link can be completely cut when the SCE 1000 fails, or whether traffic flow should continue across the link in spite of platform failure.

The link failure reflection refers to the behavior of the SCE 1000 when one of the data links fails. Some network redundant topologies require a layer 1 cutoff in order for the network element to recognize the link failure and translate it into action (switch to redundant link). In this case, if one of the ports fails, it must be reflected to the other port as well.

This parameter determines whether the SCE 1000 returns to normal operational state after a reboot caused by fatal error or abnormal shutdown. In general, it is desirable that the SCE 1000 resume operation, and as promptly as possible. However, in a redundant topology, a recovered SCE 1000 may remain non-operational. In this case the platform that had been the backup and is currently active will remain active.

The two options for this parameter are:

* Italicized values represent automatically applied defaults that are applied based on previously defined parameters. These values can be changed only via specific CLI commands.

[1]: In a redundant topology, it is also possible to configure admin status after abnormal boot to be Not operational. In this case, though, the SCE 1000 would have to be manually reloaded in order to resume full functionality.

The SCE 1000 chassis is fully assembled at the factory, including the application and software packages. No assembly is required. However, you need the following tools and equipment to install the SCE 1000 chassis and the rack-mount kit (if installing the SCE 1000 platform in a rack), fan modules, and power supplies:

The environmental monitoring functionality in the SCE 1000 protects the system and components from potential damage from over-voltage and over-temperature conditions. To ensure normal operation and to avoid unnecessary maintenance, plan your site configuration and prepare your site before installation. After installation, make sure the site maintains an ambient temperature of 41°F to 104°F (5°C to 40°C) with short term temperatures ranging from 23°F to 131°F (–5°C to 55°C), and keep the area around the SCE 1000 chassis free from dust.

Planning a proper location for the SCE 1000 and the layout of your equipment rack or wiring closet is essential for successful system operation. Equipment placed too close together or inadequately ventilated can cause system over-heating. In addition, chassis panels made inaccessible by poor equipment placement can make system maintenance difficult.

Airflow

Figure 4.2. Airflow Through the SCE Platform

When you plan the location and layout of your equipment rack or wiring closet you need to consider how air flows though your system. The SCE 1000 draws cooling air in through the intake vents on the left side of the chassis, moves the air across the internal components, and out through the right side and rear panel of the chassis. The above figure illustrates the airflow through the SCE 1000.

Note

Remember to leave a two inch (5 cm) clearance on both sides of the SCE 1000 and five inches (12.7 cm) at the rear for adequate airflow for the inlet and exhaust vents.

The router should already be in the area where you will install it, and your installation location should already be determined. If not, see Site Requirement Guidelines and the Site Preparation and Safety Guide.

When installing the SCE 1000, please observe the following conditions:

You can install the SCE 1000 platform on any flat surface as long as the surface is large enough for the SCE 1000 (see the table in SCE 1000 Dimensions), and allows for adequate airflow/ventilation around the sides of the SCE 1000, as described in the Installation Precautions. When installing the SCE 1000 on a workbench or tabletop or in a rack, ensure that the surface is clean and in a safe location.

Figure 4.3. Installing the System on a Flat Surface

This completes the general workbench or tabletop installation.

Proceed to section, Attaching a Chassis Ground Connection to continue the installation.

You can mount the SCE 1000 platform to a 19” rack. There are two standard types of equipment racks, and the appropriate brackets for each are provided in the enclosed kit.

The SCE 1000 mounts to the two front rack posts with brackets that attach to the front of the SCE 1000 The inside width between the two posts or mounting strips (left and right) must be at least 17.3 inches (44 cm).

Because the inlet and exhaust ports (vents) for cooling air are located at both sides of the chassis, respectively, multiple SCE 1000s can be stacked in a rack with no vertical clearance.