Quidway NetEngine80
Configuration Guide - Basic Configurations
1 NE80 Core Router Overview
Issue 04 (2009-12-20)
Huawei Proprietary and Confidential
Copyright © Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
1-5
The NE80 applies the Versatile Routing Platform (VRP) software system. As a versatile
operating system platform for Huawei's data communications products, the VRP realizes a
modular architecture with IP services as the core. In addition to abundant functions and
features, the VRP provides some application-based capabilities such as scalability and
flexibility.
With the TCP/IP protocol stack as the core, the VRP integrates multiple crucial technologies
for data communications such as routing, QoS, VPN, and security, thus providing excellent
data forwarding capability for the routing device.
The VRP provides consistent network, user, and management interfaces for various hardware
platforms and flexible solutions for users. The VRP is open to sustainable development, which
can protect carriers' investment to its maximum extent.
1.2 Characteristics of the NE80
This section includes:
z
Support for Flattened Network Architecture
z
Line-Speed Forwarding
z
Multiple Interfaces
z
Carrier-Class Availability
z
Rich Services
z
Perfect Diff-Serv/QoS
z
Excellent Security Mechanism
z
Practical NMS
z
Flexible Networking Capabilities
1.2.1 Support for Flattened Network Architecture
Modern telecom network has a hierarchical architecture, within which data services are
typically provided after they are processed by four vertical function layers. This classical
architecture will still exist for a certain period. This architecture reveals its deficiency
increasingly because IP services are becoming leading services in the network. Flattening of
the network architecture is the trend with the development of technologies and the change of
services.
The devices at the core layer of the telecom network are used with high efficiency because a
great amount of user data is processed there. Whereas, the devices out of the core layer are
used less efficiently due to sparse distribution of access users. Therefore, a flattened IP
network architecture should be employed if possible. Fewer network layers help carriers
utilize network devices more efficiently and slash the maintenance and management cost. The
operable and manageable IP network becomes the development trend of MANs and enterprise
networks at present.
The flattened network architecture puts forward higher requirements on the devices at the
convergence layer, that is, they need function as both access devices and core devices. The
NE80 is such a product that implements various services due to its abundant service features,
excellent hardware platform, and high reliability. For example, the NE80 can directly connect
downlink with Gigabit Ethernet switches or dedicated access devices, and uplink with
provincial backbone or national backbone networks. In addition, the NE80 can form a ring
network through Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) or connect to core devices through dual homing.
