Briefing
Multi-Layer, Multi-Vendor (MLMV) Core Networking Guided Lab
The WWT Multi-Layer Multi-Vendor (MLMV) lab is an innovative and versatile physical lab environment focused on Core Networking. It is designed to demonstrate the integration of technologies from Layer 0 (physical layer) to Layer 3 (network layer) across multiple vendors in a cohesive system. This lab is designed so it can be custom-tailored to your specific needs. During this briefing, we will share an overview of the MLMV lab environment, discuss our capabilities, and develop a high-level plan to meet your needs.
Details
- Core Networking: The core of the lab is based on Cisco NCS-57c3 routers. These routers are equipped with 400G ZR+ DWDM optics, which are used for high-speed and long-distance data transmission. DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) is a technology used for transmitting data over optical fiber.
- DWDM Line Systems: The core routers are connected via a selection of DWDM line systems, including Cisco NCS-2000, Nokia 1830, and Infinera Groove. DWDM line systems are used to multiplex and demultiplex multiple optical signals on a single optical fiber.
- Distribution Layer: Cisco's NCS-55A1 and NCS-540 devices are used at the distribution layer. These devices serve as aggregation points in the network, handling the traffic from the core and distributing it to the access layer.
- Access Layer: The access layer of the network is where Layer 3 services originate and terminate. Multiple vendor options are available at this layer, including Cisco, Nokia, and Juniper. This multi-vendor approach allows for testing and comparing different vendors' approaches to network services.
- Management Platforms: To manage and orchestrate the entire system, the MLMV lab utilizes the full Cisco CrossWorks suite and Nokia's NSP management platforms. These platforms provide a centralized management interface for configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting the network components, regardless of the vendor.
- Interoperability Testing: The lab's unique feature is its ability to reconfigure and test custom interoperability scenarios. This means that you can experiment with different vendor combinations and see how well they work together, especially at the services layer. Interoperability testing is essential in heterogeneous network environments where equipment from various vendors coexists.
- One Pane of Glass: The combination of management platforms from Cisco and Nokia aims to provide a unified and comprehensive view of the entire network, allowing for efficient management and monitoring.WWT's Advanced
Go Beyond the Core. The MLMV lab lives within WWT's Advanced Technology Center (ATC), a collaborative ecosystem used to design, build, educate, and demonstrate innovative technology products and integrated architectural solutions. The heart of the ATC is our Data Centers, which house 500+ racks of equipment, enabling us to create lab environments from the core to the application.
Please reach out to one of our experts listed below or your account team to discuss how this lab environment can be put to work for you.