Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this section, you should be able to

  1. define link virtualization.
  2. explain frame relay, ATM, and MPLS networks.
  3. describe how MPLS networks work, and how MPLS networks can work as link layers.
  4. describe data center networking.
  5. explain some important concepts and technologies for data center networking.
  6. explain load balance in data center networking.
  7. describe the possible future of data center networking.

Learning Tasks

Required:

  1. Watch the slideshow for this section.
  2. Study the following sections in the textbook:

6.5 Link Virtualization: A Network as a Link Layer
6.6 Data Center Networking

Terms and Topics

Section 4 – Link Virtualization and Data Center Networking

Link virtualization
A network as a link layer
Multiprotocol labeling switching (MPLS)
Label-switched router
Traffic engineering
Virtual private networks (VPNs)
Data center network
Blades in a data center network

Top of rack (TOR) switch
Load balancing in a data center network
Boarder routers
Hierarchical architecture of a data center network
Hierarchy of routers and switches
Trends in data center networking
Fully connected topology

Leading Questions

  1. What is a link on a local network such as Ethernet?
  2. What is a link on a wide area network?
  3. What is a link on a dialup network?
  4. What links might be involved on a VPN connection?
  5. What links may exist on an Internet connection?
  6. What is a virtual link?
  7. How can a network become a link layer?
  8. What are multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks?
  9. How are MPLS networks treated as a link-layer technology?
  10. What is the MPLS protocol?
  11. What is a MPLS-capable router?
  12. Why is a MPLS header needed in a link-layer frame transmitted on MPLS networks?
  13. What fields does a MPLS header contain? What purpose is each field designed for?
  14. What is a label-switched router?
  15. What is network traffic engineering?
  16. How are MPLS networks used to implement a VPN?
  17. What is a data center, and what is a data center network?
  18. Why are hosts in data centers called blades?
  19. What is the top of rack (TOR) switch?
  20. What roles does a TOR switch play in a data center?
  21. What are border routers?
  22. What is involved in data center network design?
  23. What is load balancing and what is a load balancer?
  24. What is a hierarchy of routers and switches?
  25. What is a fully connected topology? How is it better than the hierarchy of routers and switches?