Networking technologies in Cloud Computing
Recently, I participated in a research study under the auspices of Eurescom, working with research colleagues from Telenor, PT Inovacao (Portugal Telecom – Innovation) and Orange Labs
(France Telecom). Our objective was to analyse Cloud Computing as both a
technology concept and service delivery model, especially from its
networking perspective, and its implications for telcos in general. We
studied the current and promising networking technologies used in the
Cloud, internally and externally, including WAN technologies and Data
Center interconnections.
Long-distance
interconnections (WAN and MAN) between data centers are obviously based
on IP standards (over ATM, Ethernet, SONET/SDH) and, more recently, on
MPLS with QoS and native interconnection capabilities. For high
bandwidth and ultra-low latency, DWDM
(Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) appears to be very promising
as a future high-performance WAN transport technology – mainly due to
its capabilities of multiplexing multiple optical signals and being
protocol and bit-rate independent (agnostic). Further on the horizon,
new WAN networking technologies are still on the research stage,
including the concept of Lambda networking that promises low-cost, high-capacity circuits in long-haul and metro systems.
Inside data centers , however, where network servers, storage systems and network nodes/elements are interconnected, three LAN networking technologies are prevailing:
Obviously, there are even more networking technologies and protocols available for supporting the delivery of Cloud services. This is an ever-emerging ecosystem of new innovations and improvements that will continue to evolve in multiple directions. For the Cloud vendor or service provider, it is, however, necessary to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual networking technologies and how they most effectively can be applied in their current surroundings or technical infrastructure, whether that is inside a data center or in the transport sphere.
Long-distance
interconnections (WAN and MAN) between data centers are obviously based
on IP standards (over ATM, Ethernet, SONET/SDH) and, more recently, on
MPLS with QoS and native interconnection capabilities. For high
bandwidth and ultra-low latency, DWDM
(Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) appears to be very promising
as a future high-performance WAN transport technology – mainly due to
its capabilities of multiplexing multiple optical signals and being
protocol and bit-rate independent (agnostic). Further on the horizon,
new WAN networking technologies are still on the research stage,
including the concept of Lambda networking that promises low-cost, high-capacity circuits in long-haul and metro systems.Inside data centers , however, where network servers, storage systems and network nodes/elements are interconnected, three LAN networking technologies are prevailing:
- Ethernet
- FiberChannel
- InifiBand
Obviously, there are even more networking technologies and protocols available for supporting the delivery of Cloud services. This is an ever-emerging ecosystem of new innovations and improvements that will continue to evolve in multiple directions. For the Cloud vendor or service provider, it is, however, necessary to understand the strengths and weaknesses of individual networking technologies and how they most effectively can be applied in their current surroundings or technical infrastructure, whether that is inside a data center or in the transport sphere.
Categories:
CLOUD COMPUTING
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