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The ZebOS® Advanced Routing Suite Layer 2 Protocol Modules are a family of Ethernet bridging, Spanning Tree, Multicast, and VLAN software packages that enable advanced Layer 2 functionality for vendors building routing and switching equipment. The ZebOS Layer 2 Protocol Modules leverage the command line interface (CLI) and the kernel management capabilities of the ZebOS Network Services Manager (NSM).
The ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite Layer 2 Protocol Modules support IP Infusion’s Platform Abstraction Layer (PAL) and Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), thus supporting portability to a variety of network processors and ASICs. Because of its seamless integration with leading operating systems and other ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite protocols, the ZebOS Layer 2 Protocol modules offer the ideal Layer 2 framework for both new and existing IP Infusion customers.
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Layer 2 Protocol Modules
In addition, IP Infusion’s latest version of the ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite Layer 2 protocol modules includes new features to support the Metro Ethernet Forum’s (MEF) requirements for the User-to-Network Interface (UNI), and offers new protocols to support Metro Ethernet features. To learn more about the new features, click on the Metro Ethernet link at the right.
Layer 2 protocols support distinct feature sets within ZebOS Advanced Routing Suite. These features (except Metro Ethernet) and the specific protocols that support them are described below.
Spanning Tree Modules
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) – STP enables devices to avoid bridge loops by exchanging BPDU (bridge protocol data unit) messages and includes standard Management Information Base (MIB) support for RFC 1493 and RFC 2674. The Spanning Tree Algorithm calculates the best path and prevents multiple paths between network segments. IP Infusion’s implementation of STP supports IEEE 802.1D and RFC 4188 for the Bridge Management Information Base (MIB).
802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) – RSTP accelerates the reconfiguration and restoration of a Spanning Tree after a link failure. IP Infusion’s implementation of RSTP optimizes convergence time, and supports IEEE 802.1D and RFC 4318. IP Infusion’s RSTP module has also been optimized for faster convergence times.
802.1s Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) – MSTP is a supplement to 802.1Q. It allows VLAN bridges to use multiple spanning trees by providing the ability for traffic belonging to different VLANs to flow over potentially different paths within the virtual bridged LAN. IP Infusion’s MSTP module has also been optimized for faster convergence times, and supports the MSTP MIB requirements in draft-malhotra-mstpmib-01.txt.
All IP Infusion Spanning Tree Modules support 802.3x flow control, Broadcast storm recovery, and port mirroring.
VLAN Modules
802.1p and Q Virtual LAN (VLAN) – The ZebOS Layer 2 Modules provide 802.1Q Virtual LAN (VLAN) bridging. VLAN bridging allows network devices to be segmented into virtual LANs, regardless of their physical location. The ZebOS Layer 2 Core Module also includes 802.1p priority signaling for prioritization of traffic at the data-link layer. Support for RFC 4363, the VLAN MIB, is also satisfied with IP Infusion’s newest Layer 2 VLAN modules.
802.1v Port and Protocol Classification – Port and Protocol Classification is an amendment to 802.1Q that describes enhancements to allow for classification of incoming packets by methods other than source port information. Specifically, it defines rules for classification based on data-link-layer protocol identification.
Generic Attribution Registration Protocol (GARP) – GARP provides a generic framework for bridges to register and de-register attributes, such as VLAN identifiers and multicast group membership.
GARP VLAN Registration Protocol (GVRP) – GVRP provides support for 802.1Q VLAN pruning and dynamic VLAN creation. A switch can exchange VLAN configuration information with other GVRP switches, prune unnecessary broadcast and unknown unicast traffic, and dynamically create and manage VLANs.
802.1ak Multiple VLAN Registration Protocol (MVRP) – MVRP registers multiple VLANs and provides for the rapid healing of network failures without interrupting services to unaffected VLANs. In addition, MVRP improves the convergence time of the GVRP module.
Multicast Modules
802.1ak Multiple Registration Protocol (MRP) – MRP specifies the protocol, procedures, and managed objects required to support multiple registrations, thus allowing participants in an MRP application to register attributes with other participants in a Bridged LAN.
802.1ak Multiple Multicast Registration Protocol (MRRP) – MMRP manages group Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. In addition, MMRP improves the convergence time of the GMRP module.
GARP Multicast Registration Protocol (GMRP) – GMRP provides multicast pruning and dynamic group membership for multicast. A switch can exchange multicast group information with other GMRP switches, prune unnecessary broadcast traffic, and dynamically create and manage multicast groups.
Internet Group Multicast Protocol (IGMP) – IGMP is used to manage membership of IP multicast groups in IPv4 implementations. IGMP is used by hosts and adjacent multicast routers to establish multicast group memberships.
Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) – MLD is used to manage IP multicast groups in IPv6 environments.
Port Authentication
802.1x Port Authentication – The ZebOS Layer 2 802.1x module provides port-based network access control for LAN devices. The IEEE 802.1x standard offers centralized control of user authentication and access.
MAC Bridging
802.1d MAC Bridging – MAC (Media Access Control) Bridging allows multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) to be connected together. MAC bridging filters data sent between LAN segments, reduces network congestion, and allows networks to be partitioned for administrative purposes.
Link Aggregation Module
802.3ad Link Aggregation – Link Aggregation allows one or more links to be aggregated together to form a Link Aggregation Group (LAG), such that a MAC Client can treat the Link Aggregation Group as if it were a single link. The Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) allows bundling of several physical interfaces to form a single logical channel providing enhanced performance and redundancy. The aggregated interface is viewed as a single link to each switch. The spanning tree also views it as one interface. When there is a failure in one physical interface, the remaining interfaces stay up, so there is no disruption.
Ethernet OAM Modules
802.1ag Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) – CFM refers to the service OAM of Ethernet OAM, and addresses the per-customer and per-service OAM granularity required to manage Layer 2 Ethernet services.
802.1ah Ethernet to the First Mile (EFM) – EFM describes subscriber access technologies and the physical layer specifications for subscriber access. In subscriber access networks, this requires implementing only the far-end OAM features, including:
- Remote failure detection
- Remote loopback
- Link Monitoring
802.1ad Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) – LLDP defines a set of managed objects used to discover the physical topology of adjacent stations in LANs, as defined in IEEE 802.3.
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