On August 2, 2010, National LambdaRail (NLR) announced a significant increase to its network services. They did so by integrating Q-in-Q tunneling capability into its dynamic circuit configuration tool called Sherpa. This advancement provides users with enhanced flexibility as well as control over VLAN provisioning on NLR’s Layer 2, Switched Ethernet service, known as FrameNet.
Understanding the Main Concepts
National LambdaRail (NLR): A high-performing, 12,000-mile optical fiber network owned & operated by the U.S. research & education community. It backing speeds up to 100 Gbps & serves over 280 universities as well as federal laboratories.
- FrameNet: NLR’s Layer 2, Switched Ethernet service that allows for the creation & management of VLANs across its network.
- Sherpa: A dynamic circuit configuration tool developed by NLR, permissive authorized users to provision, modify, enable & disable VLANs on FrameNet in real-time.
- Q-in-Q Tunneling (802.1Q Tunneling): A networking tactic that allows multiple VLAN tags to be inserted into a single Ethernet frame. This method helps the encapsulation of a user’s VLAN within a service provider’s VLAN, expedite the transport of multiple VLANs across a shared infrastructure.
Advantages of Q-in-Q Integration
- Increased Flexibility: Users can now provision VLANs without the restricted of using the same & unused VLAN tag throughout the full network path.
- Abridged Association: The need for same VLAN tag assignments among numerous institutions is eliminated. It also diminishes ramification in collaborative projects.
- Preservation of User VLANs: Q-in-Q tunneling offers user VLANs to be transported through NLR’s network by encapsulating them within another VLAN. This helps in maintaining the integrity of the original VLAN configurations.
- Real-Time Configuration: Through Sherpa, users can dynamically manage their VLANs, making adjustments as needed without delays.
- User Experience and Access : Grover Browning is the Director of Engineering & Operations at NLR, emphasize the importance of this development:
To demonstrate the capabilities of Sherpa & the new Q-in-Q tunneling feature, NLR provides a live demonstration. This demonstration is accessible at http://www.nlr.net/sherpanet.php. Users can log in with the following credentials: Username: sherpademo & Password: nationwide.
This demo allows users to delve into the functionalities of Sherpa & understand how VLANs can be managed on FrameNet without the need for actual network composition or account setup.
Support & Contact Info
Existing Users: For queries regarding Q-in-Q and Sherpa, contact the NLR Network Operations Center (NOC) at noc@nlr.net.
New VLAN Requests: To start a VLAN on NLR, reach out to NLR’s Experiments Support Service (ESS) at ess@nlr.net.
Media Inquiries: Contact or get in touch with Kristina Scott at kscott@nlr.net or call 650.678.9034.
About National LambdaRail (NLR)
NLR stands as one of the world’s most advanced networks. It provides a strong platform for research & innovation. With its expansive 12,000-mile optical fiber infrastructure, NLR offers:
High-Speed Connectivity: Speeds up to 100 Gbps to aid data-intensive research activities.
Non-Constraint Use: No boundations on bandwidth or usage. It facilitates huge research needs.
Personalized Help: Well-curated services & applications to meet the peculiar demands of personnel researchers & projects.
Associative Opportunities: A platform that fosters associations among the global research community & between public & private sectors.
