Posts tagged ERS8600

Ethernet Routing Switch 8600 Software Release v5.1.5.1

0
March 25, 2011
by Michael McNamara in ,

Avaya has released software v5.1.5.1 for the Ethernet Routing Switch 8600. It should be noted that Avaya has pulled software release 5.1.5.0 from their website. The release notes indicate that the reason for this was “a datapath issue has been identified that may impact the ability to learn MAC addresses and forward packets for which the source MAC address is unknown. This will only happen if the traffic enters the same LANE as the IST is located on and if the IST occupies the first port in the LANE. Also, this is only seen on card types 8630GBR, 8648GBRS, 8634XGRS and 8612XLRS. (wi00866354)”.

Cheers!

Ethernet Routing Switch 8600/8800 Software Release v7.1

5
March 1, 2011
by Michael McNamara in ,

Avaya has released software v7.1 for the Ethernet Routing Switch 8600/8800.

The most notable feature in this software release is the inclusion of Shortest Path Bridging  (SPB).

“Release 7.1 of the Ethernet Routing Switch 8800/8600 supports the IEEE 802.1aq standard of Shortest Path Bridging MACinMAC (SPBM). SPBM makes network virtualization much easier to deploy within the Enterprise environment, reducing the complexity of the network while at the same time providing greater scalability.

SPBM eliminates the need for multiple overlay protocols in the core of the network by reducing the core control plane to a single protocol which can provide virtualization services for both layer 2 and layer 3, on a common Ethernet infrastructure using a pure Ethernet technology base. SPBM allows for layering the Ethernet network into edge and core domains with complete isolation between their MAC addresses. This technology provides all the features and benefits required by Carrier-grade deployments to the Enterprise market without the complexity of alternative technologies traditionally used in Carrier deployments (typically MPLS). SPBM integrates into a single control plane all the functions that MPLS requires multiple layers and protocols to support.

SPBM provides any-to-any connectivity in a network in an optimized, loop-free manner. It employs shortest-path trees to each destination, without the long convergence delays experienced with Spanning Tree Protocol. To do that, SPBM uses Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) link state routing protocol to learn and distribute network information. IS-IS dynamically learns the topology of a network and uses its inherent knowledge to construct shortest path unicast and multicast trees from every node to every other node in the network. Also, unlike Spanning Tree Protocol, IS-IS does not block ports to provide a loop free topology, so bandwidth is not wasted.

The SPBM components introduced in this release are:

  1. Shortest Path Bridging (IEEE 802.1aq) for simple and safe VLAN extensions across a network. SPBM does not use spanning tree, and all its links are active.
  2. SMLT for dual-homing of non-SPBM switches to a pair of SPB/IST switches.
  3. SPBM/IP for simple and safe VRF extensions across a network infrastructure without OSPF or BGP.
  4. InterISID routing for routing of L2 VPNs in the SPB domain“

You can review the configuration guide around SPBM here.

You fine the release notes here along with an upgrade document here.

Cheers!

Ethernet Routing Switch 8600 Software Release v5.1.4.0

8
December 7, 2010
by Michael McNamara in , ,

Avaya has released software v5.1.4.0 for the Ethernet Routing Switch 8600. There are a few new features in this software release that are designed to further improve the ability of the network to recover from a network/link/switch failure with minimal packet loss.

New Features in This Release

  • VLACP HOLD Enhancement
  • SLPP – Introduced New EtherType for SLPP PDU
  • SLPP – Re-Arm per port SLPP PDU Receive Counter issue

I recently discussed (in the forums) the added benefit of VLACP when recovering from network failures. It seems that Avaya is continuing to build upon that goal with additional enhancements to VLACP to help aid in recovery after a network outage.  We also discussed the known issue with SLPP and how it can accidentally trip on occasion given that the counter/threshold is cumulative and never reset. Avaya has refined SLPP to reset the counter every 24 hours thereby eliminating any false positive conditions that might occur over a extended duration (uptime of the switch).

I would encourage everyone to review the release notes for all the resolved and known issues.

Cheers!

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