ElasticNet: Bringing Network Closer

In the big data and cloud computing era, traditional telecom networks can no longer meet the demand for more services and higher bandwidth. Networks are becoming more and more complex. In specific fields, telecom technologies have developed considerably, yet networks are still being constructed in the traditional way. As a result, these new technologies cannot be quickly deployed and applied.

ElasticNet is ZTE’s next-generation network solution. It uses software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies, both of which enable elastic network configuration. This helps an operator meet the changing demands of customers and quickly implement new business models.

SDN/NFV: Driving Network Evolution

SDN originates from the GENI project in the United States. In March 2011, Verizon, Deutsche Telekom, Google, Facebook, Yahoo, and Microsoft founded the Open Networking Foundation (ONF). Many manufacturers joined ONF to promote the development of SDN, a network architecture where the control plane is decoupled from the data-forwarding plane. This makes network control is programmable.

NFV uses IT virtualization technologies to evolve legacy network equipment to standardized servers and interactive equipment. NFV enables CT network reconstruction through IT technologies. Even without SDN, networks still support and need NFV. SDN can help improve network performance, simplify compatibility requirements on legacy networks, and make it easier to operate and maintain a network. NFV can help make SDN architecture more elastic, controllable, and programmable. Networks with both SDN and NFV are the future choice of operators.

By separating the control layer from the forwarding layer and encapsulating network resources and interfaces, hardware constraints can be overcome. Such decoupling standardizes network OS and specifically divides the industry chain. Standardized, open interfaces lower the entry threshold for equipment providers, which helps invigorate the industrial chain and integrate IT and CT. Elastic networks can easily evolve to cloud architecture.

Centralized control improves management efficiency and quality, and a programmable network provides endless possibilities for innovation. It also enables operators to provide services more quickly and increases their competitiveness.

As SDN and NFV are used in networks, operators will be able to construct a low-TCO network with elastic network architecture and more open network environment that provides better user experience.

An Elastic Network Solution

ElasticNet integrates SDN and NFV technology to create a flat network that suits diverse functions and demands. With cloud computing technology, ElasticNet provides functions and systems for network control. It decouples the control and forwarding functions so that network control is centralized, and it makes the network comply with open, standard protocols. ElasticNet provides a programmable environment, which makes the network visible to applications and promotes network innovation. The solution also solves problems with automatic network configuration and flexible service deployment.

In short, ElasticNet makes a network dynamic. The network can be scaled to meet increased service demands, reduce the cost of network construction, and maximize network utilization. The network evolves from a fixed, complicated system to a flexible, reconfigurable software-based system.

ElasticNet includes SDN forwarders, an SDN controller, various VNFs, a VNF composer, and an OpenStack cloud management system.

The SDN controller provides a network-wide view and dynamically dispatches all network resources to meet the requirements of upper-layer applications. It also provides an open, programmable network environment.

ElasticNet integrates SDN and NFV technologies in order to break the isolation between NEs and make the network elastic, horizontally compatible, open to services  (instead of the traditional chimney style). This gives customers a better experience in terms of management, services, and support for new business models. It also greatly reduces the cost of network construction and maintenance.

Because the network is programmable, network management and configuration are simpler. With ElasticNet, the network can evolve in line with demand. Automatic configuration enables the network infrastructure to quickly adapt to changes in service demands.

Traditional network equipment has relatively independent network functions, which makes collaboration between multiple NEs difficult. ElasticNet uses service chaining to support new network services. 

Traditional network planning and design are based on existing business models. Any changes in business model results in network reconstruction and transformation, which requires heavy investment. ElasticNet supports standard network programming protocols and open codes and allows the network to adapt easily to evolving business models.

ElasticNet has a general hardware architecture that extends the lifecycle of network equipment reuse, simplifies network management, and reduces capex and opex.

Because ElasticNet also makes the network more efficient and network capacity can be flexibly adjusted, carbon emissions are reduced across the entire network.

Applications of ElasticNet

ElasticNet can be applied in operator networks, data center networks, enterprise networks, and campus networks. It is capable of network virtualization within data centers, traffic dispatching and collaboration between data centers, centralized management, security control and OAM optimization of government and enterprise networks, multilayer and multidomain optimization within operator networks, and centralized control of IP RAN/PTN virtualization.

Data Center

When applied in an internet data center (IDC) network, ElasticNet optimizes the performance of cloud services and improves resources utilization within the data center. The IDC adjusts its internal horizontal traffic through flexible policy configurations. This enables faster real-time VM migration, more network redundancy, and better traffic dispatching because application QoS and bottom-layer network load are sensed. In this way, SLAs can be guaranteed, and bandwidth use can be optimized across the entire network.

Government and Enterprise Networks

An enterprise network has complex functions. New enterprise applications have resulted in increased demands for network customization in areas such as security, OAM, and flexible application overlapping. With its SDN architecture, ElasticNet can optimize enterprise networks. It is the first choice for scenarios where service demands at a single site change frequently. In such a scenario, the network topology needs to be frequently adjusted. ElasticNet enables rapid changes to services and fine network management and control in scenarios where traffic has to be frequently optimized in order to meet the demands of different services.

In a campus network, ElasticNet makes the network easier to manage and scale.  Network traffic can be finely adjusted using policies and templates. New features and functions can be conveniently added, and faults can be easily located and troubleshooted in an abstract software environment. ElasticNet helps create a software-based network that facilitates the deployment of IPv6 and IPv4 dual stack/DS-LITE. It makes the evolution from IPv4 to IPv6 easy.

Operator Networks

In operator networks, ElasticNet creates a flat network based on cloud computing and enables network functions to be flexible configured. Through centralized control and virtualization, ElasticNet provides operators with a more open network and makes the network more flexible, extensible, and self-configurable. It also reduces the cost of network construction and OAM. ElasticNet can be deployed in data centers, wireless core networks, MANs, converged networks, and access networks.

ZTE: A Promoter of SDN and NFV 

ZTE plays an active part in standardizing and promoting SDN and NFV. The company has cooperated on technical projects with many domestic and international operators and research institutions. ZTE is an important member of ONF, ETSI, CCSA and OpenDayLight.