Next generation networking with 100G/100GbE

This paper provides a brief survey of the motivators behind IP traffic growth, and the locations in today's networks that are likely to be exposed to aggregated bandwidth, reaching and exceeding 100G. We will identify the major application spots for 100G technology, looking at TDM- and packet-based transport networks as well as data centers, with an analysis of the adherent functional differences. Given other economical and technical considerations, the demand for this challenging technology varies with available alternatives. Technical scalability limits make feature reductions of early, purpose-built implementations necessary. It is concluded that increasing bandwidth demand will force data centers to be first implementing 100G technology. Core- and metro (TDM-)transport networks face specific challenges in compatibility with deployed fiber base and available networking capabilities at 100G. Data networks that forward traffic at Layer 2 with technologies such as T-MPLS/ MPLS-TP can alleviate hurdles of poor-scaling packet processing tasks e.g. by avoiding IP address lookups, DPI and session-based QoS in IPv4/IPv6 routed networks, thus improving 100G product realization feasibility.