FLATLANd: A novel SDN-based Telecoms network architecture enabling NFV and metro-Access convergence

Abstract

FLATLANd (Flat LAyer Two Large-scale Network) is a novel design for a Telecommunications architecture that is strictly flat and conducts traffic at layer 2 without the use of tunnelling, VPN nor labels. Because neither layer 3 nor layer 2.5 are used, higher layer networks can be overlaid cleanly onto this architecture. The architecture is inherently Open Access in that no one network nor service provider dominates over the others, as is the case in traditional wholesale and retail models for broadband access networks. Many of the layers and stacked components have been removed when compared to a traditional Telecommunications network. In this paper, we validate the proposed architecture for scalability, provisioning of basic and enhanced services and differentiation of services through bandwidth apportionment. We also present a basic power consumption model to show that FLATLANd has the potential to highly reduce energy utilisation in the core when compared to traditional Telecommunications networks.