Evolve carrier ethernet architecture with SDN and segment routing

Abstract

Ethernet technology has been evolving to become the main Wide Area Network transport technology. To address the rising CAPEX and OPEX issues, service providers are deploying Unified MPLS technology to consolidate various networks into one an integrated carrier ethernet network. Although Unified MPLS has simplified MPLS deployment in many aspects, it is still deemed complex and it is not as agile as what clouding computing demands. This paper proposes a further evolution of carrier ethernet architecture by coupling the emerging segment routing and Software-Defined Network (SDN) technologies. This new architecture will significantly simplify the network infrastructure while providing rich converged services with embedded high availability and agility.