1. Chapter 7
Backbone Networks
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2. Backbone Network Components
There are two basic components to a backbone network:
The network cable - essentially the same as used in LANs, except it is usually higher quality to provide higher data rates.
The hardware devices that connect other networks to the backbone - special purpose devices and computers that just transfer messages from one network to another.
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3. Backbone Network Devices
Physical Data Link Network
Device Operates at Messages Layer Layer Layer
Hub Physical All transferred S/D Same Same
Bridge Data link Filtered using S/D Same Same
data link layer add.
Switch Data link Switched using S/D Same Same
Router Network Routed using S/D S/D Same
network layer add.
Gateway Network Routed using S/D S/D S/D
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4. Bridges
Bridges operate at the data link layer. They connect two LAN segments that use the same data link and network protocol. They may use the same or different types of cables.
Bridges “learn” whether to forward packets, and only forward those messages that need to go to other network segments.
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5. Bridges
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6. Bridges
If a bridge receives a packet with a destination address that is not in the address table, it forwards the packet to all networks or network segments except the one on which it was received.
Bridges are a combination of both hardware and software, typically a “black box” that sits between the two networks, but can also be a computer with two NICs and special software.
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7. Switches
Like bridges, switches operate at the data link layer. Switches connect two or more computers or network segments that use the same data link and network protocol. They may connect the same or different types of cable.
Switches operate at the same layers as bridges but differ from them in two ways:
First, most switches enable all ports to be in use simultaneously, making them faster than bridges.
Second, unlike bridges, switches don’t learn addresses, and need to have addresses defined.
Example: Intel Express 510 T switch.
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8. Switches There are two types of switches:
Cut-through switches examine the destination of the incoming packet and immediately connect the port with the incoming message to the correct outgoing port. It is hardware-based.
Store-and-forward switches copy the incoming packet into memory before processing the destination address.
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9. Switched Ethernet
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10. Switched Ethernet
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11. Routers
Routers operate at the network layer. Routers connect two or more LANs that use the same or different data link protocols, but the same network protocol.
Routers may be “black boxes,” computers with several NICs, or special network modules in computers.
In general they perform more processing on each message than bridges and therefore operate more slowly.
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12. Routers
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13. Routers vs Bridges Routers can choose the best route.
Routers also only process messages specifically addressed to it.
Routers can connect networks using different data link layer protocols. Therefore, routers are able to change data link layer packets.
Routers may split a message into several smaller messages for transmission.
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14. Layer 3 Switches Problems With Layer 2 Switches
Broadcast overload because of the single MAC broadcast address (e.g. using ARP for Data Link Layer address resolution)
Lack of multiple links - only one path
Normally, the above problems can be solved with several subnets connected by routers. However,
A MAC broadcast frame is then limited to only the devices and switches contained in a single subnet.
A router does all IP-level processing, some of which could be not necessary.
It is implemented in software and slow.
Layer 3 switches implement the packet-forwarding logic of the router in hardware.
Packet-by-packet
Flow-based
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15. Gateways
Gateways operate at the network layer and use network layer addresses in processing messages.
Gateways connect two or more LANs that use the same or different (usually different) data link and network protocols. The may connect the same or different kinds of cable.
Gateways process only those messages explicitly addressed to them.
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16. Gateways
Gateways translate one network protocol into another, translate data formats, and open sessions between application programs, thus overcoming both hardware and software incompatibilities.
A gateway may be a stand-alone microcomputer with several NICs and special software, a FEP connected to a mainframe computer, or even a special circuit card in the network server.
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17. Gateways
One of the most common uses of gateways is to enable LANs that use TCP/IP and ethernet to communicate with IBM mainframes that use SNA.
The gateway provides both the basic system interconnection and the necessary translation between the protocols in both directions.
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18. Gateways
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19. A Caveat
The terminology used in the marketplace may differ substantially. One vendor’s bridge may provide the functions of a router.
Multiprotocol routers -can understand several different network layer protocols.
Brouters – Combine the functions of both bridges and routers. They operate at both data link and network layers.
Layer-3 switches (IP switches) - can also switch messages base on their network layer address. They can be used in the place of routers, but faster.
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20. Figure 7-5 Backbone network design layers
Architecture
LAN
LAN
LAN
LAN
LAN
LAN
Distribution
Layer
Access Layer
Core Layer
Figure 7-5 Backbone network design layers
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21. Backbone Network Architectures
Routed backbone – using routers
Advantage – clearly segment each part of the network
Disadvantage – Delay, and more management
Bridged backbone – using bridges, not popular any more
Advantages – cheaper, simpler
Disadvantages – difficulties in management
Collapsed backbone –using switches, is most commonly used.
Advantages - Better performance, Fewer network devices are used
Disadvantages – switch problem may fail whole network, more cabling work
Two types
Rack-based collapsed backbone
Chassis-based collapsed backbone
Virtual LAN (VLAN)
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22. 9/19/2018 9:33:33 AM9/19/2018 9:33:33 AM Client Computer Client
10/100 Ethernet
Client
Computer
Router
to WAN
Layer-2
Switch
Client
Computer
1GbE
on fiber
Client
Computer
1000Base-T
Client
Computer
Layer-3
Switch
10/100 Ethernet
Router
to Internet
Client
Computer
1GbE
on fiber
1GbE
on fiber
Client
Computer
10/100 Ethernet
Client
Computer
Layer-2
Switch
Client
Computer
Server
Server
Client
Computer
1000Base-T
Server
Server
Client
Computer
Figure 7-11 Central Parking’s collapsed backbone
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23. Virtual LAN (VLAN)
A new type of LAN backbone network architecture by intelligent high-speed switches. VLAN is configured using software not hardware.
Single-switch VLAN – VLAN inside a switch
Multiswitch VLAN – VLAN using several switches.
VLAN is normally faster than traditional LANs, and provide better opportunity to manage data flows
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24. 9/19/2018 9:33:33 AM9/19/2018 9:33:33 AM VLAN switch Client Computer
10/100 Ethernet
Client
Computer
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
Client
Computer
1GbE
on fiber
Client
Computer
1000Base-T
Client
Computer
VLAN switch
1GbE
on fiber
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
1GbE
on fiber
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
1GbE
on fiber
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
VLAN switch
Figure 7-14 IONA VLAN network
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25. Backbone Technologies
Fiber-Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Fibre Channel
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26. Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) is a set of standards originally designed in the late 1980s for use in MANs (ANSI X3T9.5), but has since made its way into backbone networks.
FDDI is a token-passing ring network that operates at 100 Mbps over two-counter-rotating fiber optic cable rings.
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27. Topology
The FDDI standard assumes a maximum of 1000 stations and a 200-kilometers (120 miles) path that requires a repeater every 2-kilometers. The second ring is for backup.
Single attachment stations (SAS) and dual-attachment stations (DAS) are both computer that can connect to one or both of the rings, respectively.
If the cable in the FDDI ring is broken, the ring can still operate in a limited fashion.
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28. Topology
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29. Topology
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30. Media Access Control
The FDDI-MAC scheme uses a variation of the IEEE token-passing standard.
Messages and the token are sent in different frames separately in a FDDI LAN. A computer can send data only when it captures the token.
When a computer on an FDDI network waiting for transmission receives the token, it holds the token and then transmits all messages that were attached to it. The computer then transmits whatever messages its wants before transmitting the token.
When receiver receives the data frame it simply copy the data frame leaving it to be absorbed by the sender.
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31. Switched FDDI
Switched FDDI is similar to switched Ethernet, in that a FDDI switch replaces the FDDI hub, providing a series of point-to-point connections from the computers to the switch instead of the traditional shared circuit. The network has a star topology instead of a ring, and no token.
It does use the FDDI packet format and is fully compatible with other FDDI hardware.
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32. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) (a.k.a. cell relay) is a technology originally designed for use in wide area networks that is now often used in backbone networks.
ATM backbone switches typically provide point-to-point full duplex circuits at 155 Mbps (total of 310 Mbps).
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33. Example ATM LAN
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34. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
ATM is a switched network but differs from switched Ethernet and switched token ring in four ways:
1. ATM uses fixed-length packets of 53 bytes.
2. ATM provides no error correction on the user data.
3. ATM uses a very different type of addressing from traditional data link layer protocols such as ethernet or token ring.
4. ATM prioritizes transmissions based on Quality of Service (QoS).
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35. Addressing & Forwarding with ATM Virtual Circuits
Address format:
Virtual circuit identifier = (path#, circuit#)
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36. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
ATM is connection-oriented so all packets travel in order through the virtual circuit. A virtual circuit can either be a:
Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) - defined when the network is established or modified.
Switched Virtual Circuit (SVC) - defined temporarily for one transmission and deleted with the transmission is completed.
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37. ATM Classes of Service Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
Originally for voice transmission
Variable Bit Rate--Real Time (VBR-RT)
Switch immediately upon receiving a packet
Variable Bit Rate--Non-Real Time (VBR-NRT)
Available Bit Rate (ABR)
Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR)
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38. ATM and Traditional LANs
Edge switches translate LAN packets to ATM cells to enable the packets to flow over the ATM backbones.
Two approaches:
LAN encapsulation (LANE, a.k.a. LAN Emulation)
Multiprotocol over ATM (MPOA).
Address translation from Ethernet or token ring into ATM is not simple - ATM lacks a simple built-in ability to issue broadcast messages.
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39. LAN Encapsulation (LANE)
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40. How LANE Works
Step 1: Translate the Ethernet address into an ATM virtual circuit identifier for the circuit that leads from the edge switch to the edge switch nearest the destination.
Step 2: Find the virtual circuit address for the destination data link layer address.
Step 3: Break the LAN packet into the series of ATM cells, and transmit them over the ATM backbone using the ATM virtual circuit identifier.
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41. ATM and Traditional LANs
The process of LAN-ATM packet conversion can cause quite a delay (a throughput reduction of 40 to 50 %).
MPOA is an extension to LANE being able to handle network layer addresses. ATM backbone works like a brouter. If a packet is addressed to a different subnet, MPOA will use the network layer address to forward the packet.
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42. Fiber Channel Network N_port F_port
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43. Fibre Channel Elements
Nodes
The end systems
Includes one or more N_ ports for interconnection
Fabric
Collection of switching elements between systems
Each element includes multiple F_ ports
Responsible for buffering and for routing frames between source and destination nodes
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44. Fibre Channel Goals Full-duplex links with two fibers per link
Performance from 100 Mbps to 800 Mbps on a single link (200 Mbps to1600 Mbps per link)
Support for distances up to 10 km
Small connectors
High-capacity utilization with distance insensitivity
Greater connectivity than existing multidrop channels
Broad availability (i.e., standard components)
Support for multiple cost/performance levels, from small systems to supercomputers
Ability to carry multiple existing interface command sets for existing channel and network protocols
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45. *Fibre Channel Protocol Architecture
FC-0 Physical Media: Includes optical fiber, coaxial cable, and shielded twisted pair, based on distance requirements
FC-1 Transmission Protocol: Defines the signal encoding scheme
FC-2 Framing Protocol: Defines topologies, frame format, flow/error control, and grouping of frames
FC-3 Common Services: Includes multicasting
FC-4 Mapping: Defines the mapping of various channel and network protocols to Fibre Channel
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46. Fibre Channel - Maximum Distance
800Mbps 400Mbps 200Mbps 100Mbps
Single
Mode 10,000m 10,000m 10,000m 10,000m
M-mode m 1,000m 2,000m
Coaxial
Cable m m m m
STP m m m m
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