Converged Corporate Network Solutions

IndustrialIT for Utility Communications

Convergence

Talk of converging Time-Division-Mul-tiplex-(TDM)-based systems, and packet-oriented data networks is everywhere. Today, the latest Internet-Protocol-(IP)-centric solutions focus on the convergence of TDM applications and data services onto a single infrastructure with signifi-cant bandwidth requirements on LANs and backbones. These applications will be multimedia, including not only the tradi-tional TDM applications for utilities such as telephony, Scada, substation protection but also IP-based solutions for business application, administration, video conferencing and surveillance. More and more Scada center interconnections and energy-trading systems will be IP-based. It shall however be noted, that high-capacity resilient SDH backbone concepts are still a key element for reliable and mission-critical converged utility networks.

Corporate Utility Networks

Traditional utilites still maintain very often two more or less independent networks:

One for so-called operational purposes such as protection, emergency phones or modem-based Scada systems. Mostly, these systems are run by the “telecom or communication” team and support mainly TDM-oriented connections.

A second team takes care of the IT infra-structure, maintaining their own network including slow-speed WAN interconnec-tions for linking two or multiple LAN islands. Most of the WANs are using expensive leased or ISDN lines. Their performance depends completely on the reliability and service capabilities of third-party service providers.

With today’s technical convergence pos-sibilities and growing cost-cutting pres-sure, a going together for a Converged Corporate Network seems to be a must.

Perfection in Convergence of TDM- & Packet-bas

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Converged CorporateNetwork Solutions

Corporate

TDM Technologies: – PDH – SDH

Packet-switchedTechnologies:

– LAN – WAN

Operational Applications: – Scada – Telephony – Protection – Security

IT Applications:– Admin & Offi ce– Energy Trading– Video– Intranet / Internet

In Converged Corporate Network Solutions (CCNS), two mainstreams merge: the evolution of technology and the merging of all kind of applications

Terms used

CCNS Converged Corporate Network SolutionsDSL Digital Subscriber LineDWDM Dense Wavelength Division MultiplexingIP Internet Protocol; frequently used as Layer 3 protocol in Packet-based NetworksLAN Local Area Network NMS Network Management SystemPDH Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (a TDM-based technology)SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (a TDM-based technology)TDM Time-Division MultiplexingVLAN Virtual LANVPN Virtual Private NetworkWAN Wide Area Network

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LAN-/WAN Coupling Solutions for C

ABB’s Data Networking solutions clearly focus on the coupling of LANs and Wunderstanding of both domains makes it possible to choose the appropriate porHaving this expertise within ABB guarantees a smooth integration of technologadditional related devices from third parties to fi t your requirements.

Have a look at some selected LAN-/WAN coupling scenarios keeping in mind ttion go hand in hand with them.

LAWA4LAWA4 is a plug-in unit into ABB’s comprehensive FOX Multiplexer family.

• Full duplex 10Base-T standard Ethernet IEEE802.3 physical port• > 40 internal logical WAN ports for point-multipoint applications• 2 x 2 Mbit/s overall capacity 2 Mbit/s or n x 64 Kbit/s fractional allocable per logical WAN port• Supports Bridging and VLANs• RIP & OSPF V2 Routing• Fully managed

LEMU6

LEMU6 is a plug-in unit into ABB’s comprehensive FOX Multiplexer family and offers not only local Ethernet connectivity but connects also up to 6 remote LAN/WAN coupling units via DSL.

• Up to seven independent bridge instances • Supports static and dynamic IP routing• WAN to MUSIC100 and to logical WAN port via PPP• Front panel 10 Base-T interface• DHCP relay confi gurable for MUSIC100• Statistics for all interfaces• Can connect to LEMU6 on opposite end

Other related WAN-oriented PDH/SDH MultiplexersAs ABB’s LAN/WAN coupling solutions meet all the appropriate stan-dards for the required interoperability; stand-alone devices (AXX...) can be used in conjunction with any third-party SDH/PDH multiplexer. Most frequently used PDH/SDH devices are however:

• ABB’s FOX515 with a complete range of interfaces for any type of legacy, voice or backbone application• ABB’s partner product lines – Optera Metro SDH & DWDM (Nortel) – 6300-series (Tellabs)

MUSIC100

MUSIC100 is a stand-alone unit to connect to LEMU6 via DSL connec-tion. Ideal to bring LAN interconnectivity to small offi ces or home, e.g. for Internet applications.

• 4 hubbed Ethernet ports• Combines routing functionality with DSL connectivity over normal copper lines• Space-effi cient and easy to install

Access Multiplexer (PDH, SDH)

Other related LAN-oriented switching/routing devicesDue to a high level of standardization, nearly any third-party switching and routing product can be connected to ABB’s LAN/WAN coupling solutions. Most frequently integrated devices are Nortel and Cisco. With both, ABB has Global Partnership Agreements.

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Please replace this part by using the fi ve LAN/WAN-coupling scenarios attached at the end of the document

or Converged Corporate Networks

AXX155 / AXX155EThe AXX155 & AXX155E are stand-alone integrated access devices that map PDH & Packet-switched data into STM-1.

• 4 / 12 x E1 Ports• 4 x 10 / 100 Base-T ports• Multiprotocol switching & routing functionality• VLAN support• For point-point applications or in conjunction with AXX155E point-multipoint-enabled• Either protected or unprotected opt./el. STM-1 aggregates

nd WANs to make best use of existing or new infrastructures. Just the portfolio as an enabler for highly effi cient LAN/WAN solutions.

ology and applications with key products as highlighted below and with

nd that all traditional services with legacy data, PABX and even teleprotec-

OPE100 plug-in modules

The Optera Metro PacketEdge100 is a plug-in card into the Nortel OM4000 family providing the following features:

• 8 x FE LAN interface ports• 2 x STM1 WAN ports (internally connected)• Wire Speed Ethernet Switch with SP (24 groups)• VLAN support• IEEE 802.1p Priority with 3 queues

Transport Multiplexer (SDH, WDM)

AXXEDGE / AXX10The modem-sized AXX10 operates in conjunction with AXXEDGE as an end-customer device, multiplexing 4 x E1 plus 4 x 10 / 100 Base-T connections into a single STM-1 optical link, feeding into AXXEDGE. The AXXEDGE is a powerful one-unit high device with 4 slots. The base-unit contains redundant selectable 230 VAC / 48 VDC power supplies, a 64 x 64 STM-1 equivalent cross-connect (DXC at VC-4, VC-3, VC-12 level) and a 20 Gbps packet switch / multiprotocol router. The following SDH/PDH/LAN modules are available:

• 1 x STM-16 / 2 x STM-4 / 8 x STM-1 / 2 x STM-1• 63 x E1 / 21 x E1 + 3 x E3-T3 / 6 x E3-T3 / 8 x E1• 8 x FE / 4 x FE / 2 x GbE (opt. & el.) / 1 x GbE (opt. & el.)

Ring, meshed and linear network topologies are fully supported with appropriate SDH protection schemes (SNCI, MSP). For LAN traffi c, VLANs and Q in Q is fully supported.

AXX155AThe AXX155A is a one-unit high device with one empty slot. The base unit contains 2 x STM-1 + 21 x E1 interfaces, redundant selectable 230 VAC / 48 VDC power supplies, a 8 x 8 STM-1 equivalent cross-connect (DXC at VC-4, VC-3, VC-12 level) and a packet switch/multiprotocol router. The empty slot can be equipped with selected AXXEDGE mod-ules as listed above. SDH and LAN functionalities are analogous to those of AXXEDGE, but limited to STM-1 / FE capacities.

ETEX plug-in modules

ETEX is a series of plug-in modules for the SDH multiplexer family TE6300 for transport on STM-1 up to STM-64 providing the following features:

• Depending on chosen card, 4 x / 8 x FE (el.) or 2 x optical Gigabit Ethenet ports per card• 2 ... 150 Mbit/s programmable WAN capacity for Ethernet• Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) acc. ITU-T G.7041 & Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme (LCAS)• Integrated Layer-2 Switch

Please replace this part by using the fi ve LAN/WAN-coupling scenarios attached at the end of the document

As a system integrator with a worldwide customer base with planned and implemented Converged Corporate Utility Networks, ABB faces often similar customer concerns. Some of the frequently asked questions you find below.

■ Q: Why are CCNS especially for utilities of

high interest?

A: Many utilities have highly valuable own assets like installed backbones, access premises and LANs including the required maintenance organization. Not many other enterprises have such a variety of different applications, ranging from teleprotection up to carrier’s carrier business. By using these own assets, cash-out to external service providers (e.g. for leased lines) can be reduced, the network availability and reliability will increase and the dependen- cies from third parties will be minimized. Selling communication capacity to external customers may lead to extra revenues.

■ Q: What are the most important aspects that we have to consider when planning our Corporate Utility Network?

A: Clearly distinguish between physical and logical network topology. A traffic matrix of today’s situation and the projected network use in e.g. fi ve-years’ time is the key. Major strategic decisions (e.g. going for a central- ized server infrastructure) need to be con- sidered in a very early stage to avoid later “data bottle-necks”.

■ Q: How shall our today’s IT-team and the separated communication team handle the common responsibility issues in a corpo- rate network?

A: In a properly planned network there are very clear interfaces between LAN and WAN parts, that can also be used to segregate res- ponsibilities and trace performance data. Today’s network management systems with their security features, traceability and indi- vidually allocable access rights fully support clear responsibilities.

■ Q: Each user group expects to get guaranteed bandwidth. Especially protection people can not accept any compromises for their extremely time-critical applications. How can a Corporate Network fulfill these high expectations?

A: CCNS are still built on TDM technology, where the time-critical signals are transported in PDH-/SDH time slots, which are absolute- ly independent from the packet traffic to be carried. The remaining predefined bandwidth can be allocated to specific ports or VLANs which guarantee the required Quality of Service (QoS) also for the packet traffic.

■ Q: What are the advantages in terms of net- work resilience when we use our PDH/ SDH-based WAN infrastructure for LAN interconnectivity between our various sites?

A: PDH & SDH provide sophisticated traffi c protection schemes, which allow to switch- over to redundant paths in less than 50 ms. This applies not only to TDM traffic but also to all the packet-oriented connections (e.g. IP) running over those links. This is, compared to the typical, traffic-affecting restauration schemes of traditional packet networks with Spanning Tree or manual reconfi guration, more than 100 times faster.

■ Q: Shall we target to put all the Network Management System functionality into one tool?

A: Finding the right level of network manage- ment system (NMS) integration is key for an efficient and flexible operation of a corpo- rate network. It shall however be noted, that various levels of NMS functionalities had been defined exactly to ease this modularity. The tasks of an Element Manager shall never be mixed up with those of the overlaying umbrella NMS with the network view.

■ Q: How can we make our Corporate Utility Network secure in terms of hacker attacks?

A: Statistics have shown, that the biggest threats are not coming from outside hackers but from the own staff, either caused accidentially or by bad intension. Therefore, a strict handling of access rights and protection schemes is a must. To fight against outside attacks, fi re- walls and the implementation of Virtual Private Networks are two building blocks of a secure corporate network.

Frequently asked questions about Converged Corporate Network Solutions (CCNS)

■ Reduced cash-out for third-party WAN connections

■ Best use of own, valuable assets

■ Full control over network resilience

■ Fast connectivity & service provisioning

■ Own backbone capacity allows secure high-speed interconnectivity of LAN islands

■ CCNS and the related NMS guarantee for clear interfaces and responsibilities with improved overall performance

Your benefi ts from Converged Corporate Network Solutions

Erich ZollerHead of AXPO’s Telecom department

“As a leading Swiss utility organization, Axpo has chosen ABB’s solution for a fully converged corporate network. Via our own fi ber-optic backbone we bring LAN as well as legacy and voice traffi c to our operational headquarters in Baden near Zurich. Using the FOX and AXX product families in our sophisticated net-works provides us with the required fl exibility with an optimal balance of quality and investments at reduced maintenance costs.”

■ Improved network security

■ Remote connectivity via secure VPN solutions

■ Managed, centralized and fi rewall- protected routes to the “outside world”, e.g. for Internet access

■ Flexible bandwidth allocation allows centralized services (e.g. servers in protected environment for internal Application Service Providing)

■ Modern utilities all go for a state-of- the-art, future-oriented converged infrastructure

ABB Switzerland LtdUtility Automation SystemsBrown Boveri Strasse 6CH-5400 Baden/SwitzerlandPhone +41 - 58 589 37 35or +41 - 844 845 845 (Call Center)Fax +41 - 58 585 16 82e.Mail utility.communication@ch.abb.com

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Main Control Center

Back-up Control Center

Legacy Data like:- V.35, V.24, V.11, RS449 - 2 / 4 wire telephony- n x 64 k, E1- HDSL- Protection

STM-1 connectedto FOX; partiallyfilled with 10 x E1for LAN

20 Mbps LAN connectionvia backboneSYNIO / SYNIF Plug-in Card

STM-1 backbone-based on mix of versatile PDH/SDH MUXs of the FOX & AXX family

Linking two Control Centers with 20 Mbps LAN. Two nearby places (connected with AXX10) need some LAN and E1 connectivity

All other Legacy & Voice interfaces including Protection are provided by FOX interface cards

FOX & AXX used as combined Access & Backbone MUXs with enhanced LAN features

SDH Backbone

STM-1 / FOX-based

AXX10 AXX155E

AXX10

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AXX equipments can act as fully / partially filled STM-1 feeders into backbones(any make) over distances of more than 60 km

P/S I

P/S II

S/S C

S/S B

S/S A

Branch Office

Headquarter & SCADA Center

Any-to-any high-capacity LAN connectivity for stations outside the SDH backbone with additional needs for up to 12 x E1 links per place are covered with AXX155E

Stations with significant LAN traffic but with not more than 4 x E1 are well served with AXX155

AXX155E

AXX155E

AXX155E

AXX155

AXX155

AXX155E

AXX155E

The AXX family supports linear, ring and meshed networks for IP & TDM

The AXX family is the ideal complement to other ABB communication devices either in the Backbone, Edge or Access level, depending on the traffic & application requirements

The modular concept provides high flexibility in terms of traffic mix and bandwidth

E1

E1

AXXEDGE

AXX155E

AXX155

AXX155A

AXX10AXX10

AXX10AXXEDGE

AXX155A

AXX155E

AXXEDGE

AXX155

AXXEDGE

E1FE

FE

E1 E3/T3 STM-1/4/16 GbE FE

AXXEDGE

STM-1

STM-1

STM-1STM-1

STM-1

STM-1

STM-1

STM-16

STM-16

STM-1

STM-4

STM-1

STM-4

STM-1

High-capacity LAN connectivity for all backbone locations, e.g. for server inter-connections with ASP or gateway functions

Fully scalable concatenated LAN bandwith in parallel to full access to guaranteedremaining backbone capacity

VLAN and QoS for dedicated services such as voice-over IP

Flexibility for combinations with any other data products or access devices likeAXX or FOX

Fully integrated one-box solution for high-capacity backbone access

SDH BackboneSTM-4 / 16 / 64

OPE100/ETEXPlug-in Card

LAN ports onOPE100/ETEXcard

n x E1, STM-1or STM-4tributaries

Any type of legacy or voicedata incl. protection

n x E1 or STM-1feeder intobackbone

TDM bulk-trafficn x E1 or STM-n

Consolidating low capacity-LAN traffic from remote sites without fibre connectionvia DSL, using LEMU6 & MUSIC100; the solution for process & administrative LAN traffic

Combine the predefined LAN bandwidth with all kind of TDM traffic, includingprotection signaling

Provides highest level of overall traffic protection via SDH resilience mechanisms

Use free SDH capacity for bulk-traffic (n x E1 or STM-n)

Connecting the very end of the network at low speed;profit from the bandwidth on the backbone

LEMU6 Plug-inCard

LAWA4 Plug-inCard

MUSIC100

ProtectedSDH Backbone

STM-4 … 64

Consolidated low-capacity LANtraffic from/to all remote places