Structured Backbone Design of Computer Networks

Enterprise Networks

An Enterprise Networks is an interconnected collection of Local Area Networks (LANs).

Several LANs
Hubs, Chassis Hubs, Stackable Hubs, Bridges, (Workgroup) Switches Horizontal cabling

Backbone
Core routers and switches Vertical cabling
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Structured Networks

A Enterprise Network should be

Logically structured
Has a layered communication structure: Local access layer, distribution layer, and backbone layer.

Physically structured
Topology is a hierarchical tree, with the backbone at the root of the tree.
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Logically Structured Networks

Local Access Layer

Provides most convenient network access to the users.

Distribution Layer
Provides policy-based network access to the workgroup. This is where packet manipulation takes place.

Backbone Layer
Provides high-speed seamless transport of data among the workgroups.
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Enterprise Network Example

Token Ring
Ethernet Backbone Router

Backbone

Ethernet Hub Ethernet

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Layer 3 Forwarding Requirement

Number of subnets x Subnet speed x Percent of inter-subnet traffic Example:

50 x 100 Mbps x 0.2 = 1 Gbps

Structured Backbones

Modern organizations have

Large networks Complex communication requirements
Access to mainframe data
Internetworking of several LANs Connectivity to a WAN (the Internet)

Transmission of data and non-data

Backbone Basics
Complex requirements mandated the structuring of enterprise-wide information distribution. Such structuring is effectively achieved through a system called Backbone. Structured wiring combined with Backbone solution provide a powerful and efficient networking solution to company-wide communication needs.

Backbone Basics (Contd.)

Key Factors in assessing network topologies:

Performance
Highest network availability. Lowest latency. Most appropriate connectivity for users.

Scalability
Ability to expand the network in terms of endpoints and aggregate bandwidth without affecting existing users.
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Backbone Basics (Contd.)

Cost of administration:
The inherent ease of moves, adds, and changes, plus the capability to efficiently diagnose, remedy, or prevent network outages.

Structured Backbone solutions offer

Flexibility Scalability

Troubleshooting & Manageability

Performance
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Structured Cabling

Cabling plan should be easy to:

implement, and accommodates future growth.

Two standards have been issued that specify cabling types and layout for structured commercial buildings wiring.

A network should follow a cabling plan:

Selection of cable types Cable layout topology
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Structured Cabling Standards

EIA/TIA-568: Issued jointly by the Electronic Industries Association and the Telecommunications Industry Assoc. ISO 11801: Issued by the International Organization for Standardization. Both Standards are similar.
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Structured Cabling (Cont.)

It is a generic wiring scheme with the following characteristics:

Wiring within a commercial building. Cabling to support all forms of information transfer. Cable selection and layout is independent of vendor and end-user equipment. Cable layout designed to encompass distribution to all work areas within the building (relocation wouldnt need rewiring).
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Structured Cabling (Cont.)

Based on the use of a hierarchical starwired cable layout.

External cables terminate at Equipment Room (ER). Patch panel and cross-connect hardware connect ER to Internal Distribution Cable. Typically, first level of distribution consists of Backbone cables. Backbone cable(s) run from ER to Telecom Closets (Wiring Closets) on each floor.
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Structured Cabling (Contd.)

Wiring Closet contains cross-connect equipment for interconnecting cable on a single floor to the Backbone.

Cable distributed on a single floor is called Horizontal Cabling, and connects the Backbone to Wall Outlets that service individual telephone and data equipment.
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Structured Cabling (Cont.)

Based on the use of a hierarchical starwired cable layout.

Horizontal Cable Telecom. Closet

Work Area

Backbone

Equipment Room External Cable

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Structured Cabling Terminology

Backbone A facility between telecommunications closets or floor distribution terminals, the entrance facilities, and the equipment rooms within or between buildings Horizontal Cabling The wiring/cabling between the telecom outlet and the horizontal cross-connect
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Terminology (Cont.)
Cross-Connect A facility enabling the termination of cable elements & their interconnection, and/or cross-connection, primarily by means of a patch cord or jumper Equipment Room A centralized space for telecom equip.t that serves the occupants of the building (Bldg/Campus distributor in ISO 11801)
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Terminology (Cont.)
Telecommunications Closet: An enclosed space for housing telecom equip.t, cable terminations, and crossconnect cabling; the location for crossconnection between the backbone and horizontal facilities Work Area A building space where the occupants interact with the telecom terminal equip.t
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Terminology (Cont.)
Main Cross-Connect A cross-connect between 1st and 2nd level backbone cables, entrance cables, and equipment cables (no ISO name) Intermediate Cross-Connect A cross-connect between 1st and 2nd level backbone cabling (no ISO name)

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Terminology (Cont.)
Horizontal Cross-Connect: A cross-connect of horizontal cabling to other cabling, e.g. horizontal, backbone, or equipment (no ISO name) Telecommunications Outlet A connecting device in the work area on which horizontal cable terminates

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Media Recommended

Telecomm. Outlet
Telecomm. Outlet

D D

Horizontal Cross-connect
Horizontal Cross-connect

A B

Main Cross-connect

Intermediate Cross-connect

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Cable Distances

UTP (Voice Transmission)

MC-HC A 800m HC-IC B 500m MC-IC C 300m TO-HC D 90m

Cat 3 or 5 UTP (up-to 16 or 100 MHz), and STP (up-to 300 MHz)
A 90m B 90m
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C 90m

D 90m

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Cable Distances (Contd.)

62.5 microns Fiber

MC-HC A 2000m HC-IC B 500m MC-IC C 1500m TO -HC D 90m

Single-Mode Fiber
A 3000m B 500m
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C 2500m

D 90m

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Unstructured Backbone -- Mainframe

...

...
Cluttered and noisy cable risers

. . .

Terminals

...

Mainframe
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Unstructured Backbone -- LAN

Each station must be physically connected by a thick coax tapped to the LAN coax, running by all stations.

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Structured Backbone

By using a MUX or similar device, a backbone can be structured.

A single fiber pair replaces mounds of coax cable, and floor-to-floor traffic is systematically organized.

With Structure comes enhanced

network control reliability, and efficiency.
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Structured Backbone (Contd.)

Structured backbone = structured, hierarchical physical star wiring scheme.

MUX MUX

MUX

Mainframe

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Structured Backbone(Contd.)

The first information backbone emerged in the mid 1980s. An enterprise backbone is an aggregate data path (a central communication highway) for the transport of all signals to / from users distributed throughout the enterprise. Early backbones were mainly muxes.
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Structured Backbone(Contd.)

The enterprise network is usually comprised of three main parts:

The horizontal access portion:
Connecting individual workstations to wiring closets and most often accomplished via an intelligent cabling Hub.

The Backbone portion:

Facilitating floor-to-floor or building-to-building connectivity.
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Structured Backbone (Contd.)

The Wide Area Network link

Backbone

Horizontal access

WAN Interface
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When are Backbones needed?

Companies utilizing Backbone technology have typically one or more of the following communication needs:
Multiple data protocols and signals. Heavy network traffic to be supported simultaneously. Multiple work-groups, networks, and facilities that need to be internetworked. Mission critical applications where high reliability and security are mandatory.
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When are Backbones needed? (Contd.)

Need to support varying media and device types. A high degree of upgrade-ability, so that existing equipment can be preserved and higher performance hardware and software solutions can be implemented seamlessly.

A high degree of network moves, adds, and changes, requiring that the enterprise network be highly manageable.
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Types of (private) Backbones

Three broad categories: (1) Multiplexers-based. (2) LAN Backbones.
FDDI, Ethernet, Token Ring, etc

(3) Collapsed Backbones.

High-speed Router, Switches, ATM.
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Backbone Topologies

Star
Collapsed Backbone PBX system Switch-based networks

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Backbone Topologies (Contd.)

Ring.
Ex: FDDI.

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Backbone Topologies (Contd.)

Hierarchical/Inverse Tree.
Higher power at higher levels.

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Backbone Topologies (Contd.)

Mesh.
Multiple data paths between peer stations. Topology relies on the use of Routers.

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Backbone Benefits
+ Makes complex distributed computing environment easier to manage. + Allows Organizations to easily upgrade the system. + Creates an integrated communication path capable of accommodating the enterprises data transfer requirements safely and cost effectively.
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Fiber Optics

Many of the Backbone advantages are enabled by the implementation of fiber. Advantages of fiber:
+ Ability to combine data, voice & video signals over a single fiber pair. + Very large bandwidth: (allows large number of users, is cost effective and spaceconservative). + Increased data security & reliability.
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Fiber in the Backbone

All Backbone solutions are based on the use of fiber because fiber:
Forms the bases for all future Backbone migrations. Enables network managers to extend the life of their cabling plants. Enables the network to easily migrate to better technology (network application software or network hardware).
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Application / Bandwidth

High capacity Backbone is a must to support increasing need for bandwidth. Application Bandwidth
Digital audio Compressed video (JPEG) Document Reprographics Compressed broadcast-quality TV High-definition full motion video Chest X-Ray Remote query burst
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1.4 Mbps 2 - 10 Mbps 20 -100 Mbps 20 -100 Mbps 1-2 Gbps 4 - 40 Mbps 1 Mbps

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