Reader Forum: So it’s time for an IP core network refresh – now what?

Editor’s Note: Welcome to our weekly Reader Forum section. In an attempt to broaden our interaction with our readers we have created this forum for those with something meaningful to say to the wireless industry. We want to keep this as open as possible, but we maintain some editorial control to keep it free of commercials or attacks. Please send along submissions for this section to our editors at: dmeyer@rcrwireless.com.
Many service providers come to a point where they could benefit from a rethink and refresh of their IP core network.
So why exactly should service providers consider rethinking their IP core network architecture and evolution requirements? Here are some main reasons:
Traffic is increasing: On average, service providers will face a three- to eight-fold traffic increase in IP core networks over the next five years. And it is predicted that Internet video consumption alone will grow more than six-times by 2017.
Core network architectures are not designed for emerging services requirements: Older 10G technology and lower capacity platforms are not optimized for the traffic patterns of cloud and highly distributed applications.
There is too much stranded capacity: Past network upgrades, economic constraints and ad-hoc network engineering mean traffic routing is not optimal.
Network equipment is approaching end-of-life: Legacy equipment often suffers from inefficient capacity expansion, power consumption and sparing. A lack of data or control plane scaling means further investments are not an effective way to control networks costs.
Forced events force a re-think: Network transformation and consolidation due to acquisitions, mergers, government policy or regulatory changes affect traffic patterns. Networks need a redesign to streamline operations and costs.
Competition is fierce: Service providers want to make the best possible use of network capacity and to continuously reduce per-bit transport costs.
Evaluate your IP core evolution
When evaluating one’s options for an IP core network refresh the following are some practical steps to consider:
Determine baseline traffic and growth trends: Anticipate future traffic patterns and volumes for broadband, enterprise and mobile services. Collect enough measurement data to forecast traffic demands and to characterize current traffic demands for traffic modeling purposes.
Incorporate new design requirements: Think about future traffic patterns and volumes. In some cases, that may mean anticipating government or regulatory changes that will affect traffic routing. Traffic analysis must consider these types of challenges and it must work with incomplete traffic data sets to create a long-term traffic forecast.
Explore all viable network architecture and traffic re-engineering options: The way to do this is by:
–Optimizing the existing IP core network design to reflect changing traffic patterns.
–Adjusting traffic engineering objectives to recover stranded network capacity from the existing network design.
–Consolidating high-volume demands into more cost-effective 40 GbE/100 GbE technology.
–Consolidating central office resources where there are cost advantages.
–Moving to smaller nodal topologies; larger topologies are less efficient and more expensive.
Evaluate next-generation routing technology and compare network transformation options: Quantify and contrast the scalability and costs of adopting a next-gen core routing platform versus upgrading and evolving the existing network.
Get the right tools and expertise
Getting assistance from the right tools and expertise is key to achieving a more nimble IP core that reduces costs and maintains network performance. Figuring out the best way to get there requires:
–Advanced traffic modeling and forecasting tools.
–Traffic engineering and network optimization algorithms.
–Expert techno-economic analysis capabilities.
With the insights that the right tools and expertise offer, service providers can identify the steps required to:
–Re-think IP core networks and reduce costs.
–Grow network capacity in a cost-effective way without increasing their resource footprint.
So what are you waiting for? A refresh could be just what you need.