Network Nirvana - laying the foundation for a converged network

As uniting data, voice and video over one network -- convergence - gains momentum, so too does the need for a `five 9`s` or 99.999% guaranteed uptime network infrastructure. Network resilience, is of the utmost importance and will minimize and manage the effect of failure in a converged network environment. Unlike the past, where impact of failure of the data network, for instance, was mitigated by the voice and/or video network(s) still being operational, failure of a converged network immobilises up to three previously separate networks, completely disabling normal business communications. This has highlighted the quest for a network that minimises risk. In short, it`s the search for the perfect infrastructure, or network nirvana.

The three tenets of network nirvana

Achieving network nirvana is dependent on three key areas: resiliency, optimisation and security.

Network resilience extends a `safety net` to data, voice and video traffic, making the investment in a converged network viable. A number of technical solutions are available, a combination of which address the problem. Creating resilience and configuring `self healing` capabilities within the network provides an alternative path if an aspect or component within the network experiences a fault. Software intelligence, often coupled with duplication of critical components, further enhances resilience and reduces redundancy by ensuring that a fault is identified (often proactively) and an action is implemented transparently to rectify the problem and maintain functionality and data integrity. The optimal design of the network is paramount when building in resilience and minimizing redundancy since adding this functionality at a later stage can be impossible to achieve or prohibitively costly.

A popular approach to consider is partial or complete `meshing` of the network, creating multiple, 2 or more, redundant and/or load sharing routes for network traffic so that alternative routes are available if one area or route experiences a fault. This resilience is easily achieved in the local area network (LAN) environment using dual-homing but the issue becomes more complex when designing redundancy into a wide or metropolitan area network (WAN/MAN). For example, if a 1 Mbps pipe is required between two remote sites such as Durban and Cape Town, it might be prudent to install two separate 512kbps links, so providing a redundant path. Unfortunately companies are currently almost exclusively reliant on Telkom`s network infrastructure for all remote connectivity, but the emergence of a second network operator (SNO) will take dual homing/meshing to a new level. Minimising reliance on a single Telco carrier by creating resilience using facilities from both Telkom and the future SNO will allow companies to drastically reduce risk and minimise downtime caused by the failure of any one telco`s infrastructure.

Another consideration when embarking on the creation of a converged network environment is effective bandwidth optimisation. Already an issue within many businesses, creating a mix of traffic within `one pipe` could increase the load on already overburdened networks. If one of the links fail, the available bandwidth is reduced leading to even greater congestion. Fortunately a number of possible solutions are available to address this problem. A common solution involves the prioritisation of traffic to ensure that critical applications, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), voice and video, are guaranteed access to the required bandwidth. This can be achieved using Quality of Service (QoS) functionality built into most WAN routers or using external Traffic Shaping devices to enforce pre-defined rules governing the use of bandwidth.

Says Lorna Hardie, HP`s ProCurve Networking Business Unit Manager: "QoS is a means to prioritise one set of traffic over another on the network. Because voice and video over IP are real-time applications, they require strict performance levels to ensure no degradation. QoS within a multi-service or converged network is critical in the WAN environment, however, in the LAN space, an equally important priority is to ensure optimised bandwidth, especially in the local market. It is therefore paramount to ensure all networking products include QoS mechanisms when considering a converged network."

Another solution is to combine the prioritisation of traffic with a technique that physically reduces the volume of network traffic such as compression technology. Using compression technology can enable data to be reduced by approximately 30 - 40%. In addition, intelligent caching technology takes this optimisation one step further by making intelligent `on the fly` decisions to selectively cache repetitive data patterns at a remote site for later reuse. A combination of compression and caching technology can increase bandwidth by up to 700% -- although the norm is approximately 250% -- if the network traffic is also managed more effectively.

Security is the third important aspect of attaining network nirvana. A common concern is that sensitive information such as video streaming cannot be transported over the data network without being exposed. This is unfounded as information carried over the data network such as human resources, payroll and intellectual capital is far more sensitive than video traffic.

Security over the data network already represents a top priority in the IT manager`s agenda. In response to this, the industry continues to develop more sophisticated and innovative solutions to protect sensitive data that provides encryption technology, restricts access and detects and prevents intrusions.

Once V^2oIP is carried as data over the Internet Protocol (IP) network, the solutions and technology designed to protect IP traffic now automatically affords protection to the additional traffic. Network security is designed around Internet Protocol (IP), therefore the additional traffic transported as IP packets on a converged network will automatically be protected.

To ensure end-to-end enterprise security is extended to mobile devices such as PDAs, notebooks and Blue Tooth phones, IT managers should look towards an integrated security solution incorporating RKG, smart cards and biometric technology.

Network resilience, optimising bandwidth and constructing a secure environment is the essential foundation to support and foster a perfect platform for convergence. Incorporating these three key areas in the design and maintenance of a converged network leverages the benefits, extending beyond the cost savings that maintenance of a single network provides, to ensuring greater stability, better management and more security.