Open Source Netphony suite: Enabling multi-layer network programmability

Network operators must deal with multi-layer architectures in their production networks. Not so much time ago, network operators were delivering the IP traffic using ATM. ATM protocol was used to aggregate end-user traffic coming from DSL connections. This traffic was transported Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) as the standard transport technology for fiber-optic transmission systems in backbone networks. There are still networks operating this way. However, current deployments are based on an IP/MPLS layer, either on their own (using dark fiber) or supported by an optical switching network (WDM, OTN, etc.). The IP/MPLS switching and routing are the layers that take advantage of statistical multiplexing and maximize the utilization of the optical links created in the underlying layer. This multi-layer architecture requires a network programmability layer that enables the control and management of the IP and the optical resources. The advent of distributed protocols to deploy the Internet, lead on many advantages. The main one is the resiliency capability of a network, where each individual node can make their own decisions. On the other hand, a central intelligence enables to have a complete network view to propose optimal solutions to improve the resource utilization. Our proposal of multi-layer network programmability contains a hybrid approach to lever on the advantages of both paradigms. In terms on network protocols, there are to main trends binary versus REST-based. Our view is that binary protocols improve the performance at the low levels on the network, while REST-based APIs enables a faster development and network interoperability. The Open Source Netphony suite is composed by a GMPLS control plane to emulate the network elements control, a Path Computation Element with active and stateful capabilities, a Topology Module capable of importing and exporting TE information in different protocols as well as an Application-based Network Operations (ABNO) controller. This framework enables multi-layer programmability for IP and optical networks.