SuperDREAM
SuperDREAM is a project to upgrade the equipment and networks of the Front Range GigaPoP. SuperDREAM builds on the foundation of DREAM, a successful project that linked the two FRGP sites in Denver with a fiber ring. SuperDREAM is underway and all hardware has been upgraded and is operational. About half the FRGP members have been cut over to the new routing infrastructure. The remaining FRGP and UPoP members will be cut over by the end of 2008.
This is the new conceptual routing
design of SuperDREAM. The new routing design optimizes and simplifies the FRGP
routing infrastructure. The new routing will benefit the FRGP and UPoP members
while simplifying and improving support by the FRGP engineers.
The goals of SuperDREAM are to:
- Reduce single points of failure (SPoFs)
Currently, the main routers and switches are SPoFs for some FRGP services. SuperDREAM will provide redundant paths from the FRGP routers to the commodity Internet. SuperDREAM will also allow members to connect at both FRGP routers, removing the member connections themselves as SPoFs. - Optimize routing
Currently, I2 Abilene and Level3 commodity traffic arrives at the l3-gw-1 router and is sent to the frgp-gw-1 router, where it is rate-limited and then forwarded to FRGP members. This traffic could go straight out to the members that connect to the l3-gw-1 router. It is sent to frgp-gw-1 only because the frgp-gw-1 router applies rate limits. SuperDREAM will allow this traffic to flow straight to the FRGP members that have connections on l3-gw-1. This will remove a hop and reduce the load on frgp-gw-1. - Reduce load on the DREAM ring
DREAM is the fiber ring that connects the two FRGP routers. It is approaching its 2 Gbps capacity. SuperDREAM will upgrade the 2x1 Gbps etherchannel to a 2x10 Gbps etherchannel. Improved routing will also reduce the traffic that traverses the DREAM ring. - Simplify rate limit
FRGP rate limits are applied per-service, per-member. Some traffic is not rate-limited. Currently, rate limits are applied on the frgp-gw-1 router by careful application of complex policies. SuperDREAM will apply rate limits on both routers the same way, on the service-specific paths, so that each limit is applied directly on the proper traffic. The engineering of rate limits will be considerably simpler than it is now. - Homogenize the routers
The original core router for the FRGP is frgp-gw-1, located in UCD's 1200 Larimer building. It routes all commodity and I2 traffic. When the FRGP joined NLR, a 6509 switch/router named l3-gw-1 was added at the Level3 co-location facility at 1850 Pearl Street. The frgp-gw-1 router was considered the "main" router, and the l3-gw-1 router was considered the "NLR" router.
The functions of the routers became less distinct when the FRGP connected to TransitRail through l3-gw-1 and when the Abilene/I2 service was moved from Denver to UEN through the l3-gw-1 router. The l3-gw-1 router became something more than just the "NLR" router. SuperDREAM will homogenize the two routers so that they both provide the same basic functions. SuperDREAM also replaces a Juniper router with a Cisco switch/router, so that all the equipment at the FRGP is of the same type. - Improve member control over traffic
Members will have explicit paths to the FRGP for each major service, providing more granular statistical information and more control over route selection.
This work directly supports NCAR's strategic goal to "Provide robust, accessible, and innovative information services and tools" and is supported through UCAR Communications Pool indirect funds.