Abstract:

Service Providers have traditionally offered multi-point services such as Transparent LAN Service over separate ATM networks. This has meant tackling the complexity of maintaining a full-mesh VC topology and the associated problems of scaling the service. The possibility of using a single Packet Switched Network (PSN) to offer both VPNs and internet access, leveraging MPLS technology and recent IETF developments such as Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), has sparked great interest amongst service providers. This presentation explains the architectural approach taken in IETF VPLS draft-lasserre-vkompella and the benefits of this approach for both Service Providers and their customers. The impact of the VPLS architecture on network design, service provisioning and operations will also be discussed.

Mr. Khandekar is Director of Product Management with TiMetra Networks, an upcoming leader in service edge routers, the new edge of IP/MPLS networks. Mr. Khandekar has over 12 years of experience in the communications and networking industry and is currently an active participant in the IETF's work on Layer-2 VPNs, co-authoring multiple drafts within the PPVPN and PWE3 working groups, and a member of the Metro Ethernet Forum's Technical Committee, chairing the QoS framework and traffic management effort. Prior to TiMetra, Mr. Khandekar was a Product Line Manager with Nortel Networks, focused on building scalable L3 switching products. Mr. Khandekar came to Nortel through the acquisition of Bay Networks, where he was a Principal Consulting Engineer consulting with Fortune 100 companies. Mr. Khandekar received his BSME from MSU, India and his MS in Computer Science from NJIT.