802.1aq Shortest Path Bridging Design and Evolution

Facilitates both the understanding and adoption of 802.1aq as a networking solution 802.1aq Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) is a technology that greatly simplifies the creation and configuration of carrier, enterprise, and cloud computing networks—by using modern computing power to deprecate signaling, and to integrate multicast, multipath routing, and large-scale virtualization. It is arguably one of the most significant enhancements in Ethernet's history. 802.1aq Shortest Path Bridging Design and Evolution explains both the "what" and the "why" of the technology standard being set today. It covers which decisions were elective and which were dictated by the design goals by using a multipart approach that first explains what SPB is, before transitioning into narrative form to describe the design processes and decisions behind it. To make SPB accessible to the data networking professional from multiple perspectives, the book: Provides a "Reader's Companion" to the standard Dissects the different elements of SPB Offers applications and potential futures for the technology 802.1aq Shortest Path Bridging Design and Evolution will appeal to system implementers, system and network architects, academics, IT professionals, and general networking professionals.

Figures vii Acknowledgments ix Introduction xi Abbreviations xvii 1. IEEE 802.1aq in a Nutshell: Antecedents and Technology 1 2. Why SPB Looks as It Does 36 3. Why the SPB Control Plane Looks as It Does 74 4. Practical Deployment Considerations 130 5. Applications of SPB 150 6. Futures 158 Conclusion 186 References 188 Index 190