l CASE STUDY l
OVERVIEW
About the company
• Industry: Wireline and mobile service
High-density Monitoring for
National Service Provider
• Location: North America
• Scaling up monitoring to accommodate
growing volume of traffic across multiple
mobile hub sites
nGenius Packet Flow Switches Solve
Visibility Challenge
• 10G tools becoming obsolete in a 100G core
network environment
Customer profile
Results
The company provides a wide range of services including data, voice, entertainment and video.
It has over $12 billion in annual revenue and 12 million customers, with about 70 percent of
them mobile subscribers.
Business Challenge
• Efficient service assurance and security
operations via the ability to deliver all traffic
of interest
• Tool platform optimization by load balancing
across a variety of tools
• Opex savings by increasing tool longevity, with
the ability to use existing 1/10Gbps tools in a
40/100Gbps environment
The company has fully tapped its mobile network for a complete, holistic view of its traffic.
The tapped traffic is then fed into a packet visibility layer which then aggregates, filters and
load-balances traffic of interest to tools such as voice and video performance management
and security.
Monitoring challenges
Transition to 100G in core network necessitated an upgrade of its architecture to distribute
monitoring traffic to accommodate 10G tools which would have otherwise been rendered
obsolete. Additionally, with the ever growing traffic demands on the network, Customer had to
prepare to expand its monitoring infrastructure.
Solution
NETSCOUT nGenius® 6010 series packet flow switch (PFS) provided the highest density solution
with 6 Tbps of duplex capability per chassis, as well as the most competitive price per port. Due
to current and anticipated growth at the mobile edge, the 100G solution is being deployed there
as well.
The performance of packet flow switches from NETSCOUT is backed by a non-blocking
backplane of up to the stated capacity. This meant that Customer’s traffic could not overload
the packet flow switch no matter how much traffic had to traverse through it. Generally the links
are not utilized at capacity on a typical network, but when they are, systems with limitations on
their backplane have challenges with core functionality, such as forwarding, aggregation, load
balancing, and replication.
PACKET FLOW SWIT C H
NETWORK
Critical
Warning
Healthy
6010
10
6Cstd
PFS
9
Status
Status
Alarm
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
2
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
4
6
1
3
Link
5
2
1/2
Status
Alarm
Flag
4
6
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
1
2
1/2
Status
Alarm
Flag
4
6
1
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
2
1
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
3/4
2
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
3/4
9/10
3
2
3/4
9/10
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
8 - 32 10G
Flag
6Cstd
40SadvR
2
1
Alarm
7
6
5
4
Flag
6Cstd
6 -12 100G
8
0
.250
601
S
PF 168.0
192.
3
3
3/4
4
3
1/2
3/4
4
1/2
3/4
5
4
5
6
5
39/40
6
39/40
6
39/40
39/40
27/28
35/36
23/24
29/30
31/32
37/38
25/26
33/34
21/22
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5/6
Status
1/2
13/14
Alarm
Flag
7/8
10 G tools
37/38
33/34
39/40
35/36
31/32
37/38
33/34
39/40
35/36
29/30
31/32
37/38
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37/38
39/40
15/16
Tx
13/14
Tx
Rx
39/40
27/28
Tx
35/36
29/30
31/32
Rx
Rx
11/12
Tx
Rx
9/10
Tx
Rx
7/8
Tx
Rx
5/6
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
37/38
25/26
33/34
l CASE STUDY l High Density Monitoring for a National Service Provider
Rx
Tx
Rx
Rx
3/4
Tx
1/2
4
3
2
1
15/16
13/14
11/12
9/10
7/8
5/6
3/4
1/2
4
3
PFS
4204
2
1
Flag
Error
P1
P2
nGenius 4000 series
packet flow switch
SITE ONE
nGenius 6000 series
packet flow switch
SITE TWO
NETWORK
NETWORK
Critical
Warning
Healthy
Critical
Warning
Healthy
6010
10
6Cstd
PFS
9
PFS
3
Link
5
5
2
Status
1/2
4
6
1
3
Link
5
2
1/2
Status
4
6
1
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
1
2
1/2
Status
Alarm
Flag
4
6
2
1
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
2
2
1
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
3/4
2
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
3
3
2
3/4
9/10
4
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
9/10
3
3
3/4
4
3
1/2
3/4
4
1/2
3/4
5
4
5
6
5
10 G tools
39/40
6
39/40
6
39/40
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6
23/24
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6
23/24
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5
11/12
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9/10
5
11/12
5/6
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13/14
7/8
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11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
13/14
Alarm
Flag
7/8
4
37/38
39/40
35/36
37/38
39/40
Rx
Alarm
6
39/40
35/36
3
15/16
13/14
11/12
Tx
9/10
Tx
7/8
5/6
3/4
Tx
2
8 - 32 10G
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Flag
4
37/38
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Tx
40SadvR
2
4
13/14
7/8
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21/22
Rx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Tx
Alarm
5
1
3/4
15/16
9/10
11/12
5/6
17/18
P2
Flag
3
Link
1/2
13/14
7/8
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Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
P1
3
1
3/4
15/16
9/10
11/12
5/6
17/18
2
1
Error
Link
6
3
1/2
13/14
7/8
4
3
4204
Flag
4
1
4
3/4
15/16
9/10
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
13/14
Alarm
Flag
7/8
7/8
5/6
3/4
1/2
PFS
15/16
13/14
11/12
9/10
7/8
40SadvR
2
1/2
3/4
9/10
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
4
3
2
1
Status
1
3/4
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1/2
Alarm
6
5/6
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1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
15/16
13/14
11/12
9/10
7/8
5/6
3/4
Tx
Flag
4
6Cstd
2
Status
1/2
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
1
Flag
40SadvR
3/4
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
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Rx
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15/16
13/14
11/12
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Status
5
Alarm
Flag
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
Rx
Tx
Rx
1/2
4
1
15/16
3
13/14
2
11/12
1
9/10
15/16
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5/6
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3/4
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1/2
7/8
4
5/6
3
PFS
7
6
5
4
Alarm
3
Link
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
Rx
8
0
601 0.250
S
PF 168.
192.
3
2
1
Flag
6Cstd
1
40SadvR
10 G tools
5/6
1/2
10
9
6 -12 100G
3/4
Tx
6010
6Cstd
Status
Alarm
Flag
6Cstd
Status
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
8 - 32 10G
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Status
40SadvR
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
40SadvR
6
5
4
3
2
1
Alarm
7
Flag
6Cstd
6 -12 100G
8
50
0
0 .2
601
S 6 8.
PF
192.1
4204
3/4
1/2
2
4
1
3
PFS
4204
2
1
Flag
Error
P1
P2
Flag
Error
P1
P2
nGenius 4000 series
packet flow switch
nGenius 4000 series
packet flow switch
nGenius 6000 series
packet flow switch
nGenius 6000 series
packet flow switch
SITE TWO
Figure 1: Multiple data centers require high-density and throughput offered by 100G packet visibility plane.
NETWORK
Benefits
Critical
Warning
Healthy
6010
10
6Cstd
PFS
9
Status
Status
Alarm
Flag
6Cstd
7
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
2
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
4
6
6
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
2
1/2
Status
Alarm
Flag
4
5
6
1
40SadvR
3
Link
5
1
2
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
4
4
Alarm
8
50
0
0 .2
601
S 6 8.
PF
192.1
6
1
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
40SadvR
3
2
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
1
Flag
40SadvR
3/4
2
2
5/6
Status
1/2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
8 - 32 10G
3
3/4
9/10
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
2
Alarm
Flag
7/8
40SadvR
3/4
9/10
1
Flag
6Cstd
6 -12 100G
3
3/4
15/16
9/10
11/12
5/6
Status
1/2
13/14
Alarm
Flag
7/8
10 G tools
3/4
5
6
39/40
6
39/40
37/38
33/34
39/40
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5
4
13/14
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9/10
11/12
5/6
39/40
35/36
37/38
Rx
39/40
Tx
Rx
15/16
Tx
Rx
13/14
Tx
Rx
11/12
9/10
Tx
Rx
7/8
Tx
Rx
5/6
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
17/18
P2
4
1/2
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
P1
13/14
7/8
4
3
2
1
2
1
Error
19/20
1/2
4
3
4204
Flag
4
3/4
11/12
9/10
7/8
5/6
3/4
Tx
15/16
13/14
11/12
9/10
7/8
5/6
3/4
1/2
PFS
15/16
9/10
13/14
Tx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
15/16
11/12
5/6
Tx
Tx
17/18
Rx
Rx
3
1/2
Rx
Tx
13/14
7/8
NETSCOUT packet flow switches removed barriers to visibility by
providing a unified packet delivery architecture, enabling control
of packet flows across Customer’s entire network. Customer has
nGenius 4000
series
nGeniuscreating
6000 series
achieved
100%
visibility, essentially
a full reflection of their
packet flow switch
packet flow switch
network. Thus, its service assurance platform was able to perform
smoothly
and provide meta analysis based on the totality of traffic, rather then
a sample that can potentially be non representative.
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx
Rx
Rx
3/4
Tx
1/2
4
3
2
1
15/16
13/14
11/12
9/10
7/8
5/6
3/4
1/2
4
3
PFS
4204
2
1
Flag
Error
P1
P2
Filtering, packet slicing, and load balancing can help reduce traffic
volume to individual systems, allowing of down-speed conversions
to legacy tools.
Future plans
The packet flow switches simplified management of monitoring
infrastructures and delivered an economically compelling solution
vs competitive products. The Customer saw the following benefits
directly as the result of the deployment of packet flow switching:
• Efficient service assurance and security operations via the
ability to deliver all traffic of interest
• Tool platform optimization by load balancing across a variety
of tools
• Opex savings by increasing tool longevity, with the ability to
use existing 1/10Gbps tools in a 40/100Gbps environment
Connectivity, port types and fiber will vary across environments,
and will change over time as the network evolves. The nGenius 6010
series PFS is specifically designed to provide high density and to help
scale the packet flows as the environment scales, while delivering
non-blocking 6Tbps line rate performance.
• In addition to expansion in 100G monitoring for the mobile traffic,
company is continuing to expand its current deployment of taps
and 10G/40G/100G packet flow switches in its wireline business,
with the goal of continued full network coverage in the coming
years
• Company is also evaluating the advanced packet conditioning
capabilities offered by NETSCOUT, such as packet slicing that
reduces the unnecessary payload. This extends the efficiency of
tools as they can focus only on the portions of the packets that are
critical to service assurance and security management systems.
Americas East
Americas West
Asia Pacific
Europe
310 Littleton Road
Westford, MA 01886-4105
Phone: 978-614-4000
Toll Free: 800-357-7666
178 E. Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: 408-571-5000
17F/B
No. 167 Tun Hwa N. Road
Taipei 105, Taiwan
Phone: +886 2 2717 1999
One Canada Square
29th floor, Canary Wharf
London E14 5DY, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 207 712 1672
NETSCOUT offers sales, support, and services in over 32 countries.
For more information, please visit
www.netscout.com or contact NETSCOUT
at 800-309-4804 or +1 978-614-4000
© 2016 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. All rights reserved. NETSCOUT, nGenius, InfiniStream, Sniffer, nGeniusONE, ASI, Adaptive Service Intelligence and the NETSCOUT logo are registered or
pending trademarks of NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries (“NETSCOUT”). All other brands and product names and registered and
unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Use of this product is subject to the NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC. (“NETSCOUT”) End User License Agreement that
accompanies the product at the time of shipment or, if applicable, the legal agreement executed by and between NETSCOUT and the authorized end user of this product (“Agreement”).
NETSCOUT reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make changes at any time in its technical information, specifications, service, and support programs.
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