Hello there, community members!
I would like to share what EPLA is, its functions and how it works, and how to configure it on RTN (4+0).
PLA : Physical Link Aggregation, It aggregates microwave links and performs load sharing over these aggregate microwave links based on physical layer bandwidth and does not use a hash algorithm and is service independent like LAG.
Modes :
-PLA mode: In this mode, IF boards distribute traffic, and two physical links can be aggregated as a group.
-EPLA mode: In this mode, the packet switching unit distributes traffic, and a maximum of 16 physical links can be aggregated as a group.
Functions
1- perform load sharing based on bandwidth.
2- increased bandwidth usage and balanced load
3- Support bandwidth adjustment.
4- protection switching on links.
Difference Between LAG and EPLA
LAG used hash algorithms and load sharing based on service flow but EPLA based on bandwidth
How the EPLA works:
A- Encapsulate and distribution of packages.
B- Modifies and multiplexes the Ethernet services.
C- Decapsulate the packet and signals into a channel.
D- Inform it of the bandwidth changes.
E- Stop distributing service traffic to the faulty link.
F- The EPLA group returns to its normal transmission mode.
A- Encapsulate and distribution of packages.
- The EPLA module on the packect switching unit encapsulates and distributes packets.
- Then encapsulate Ethernet services in fixed-size packets, distributing them among member links according to the links' relative bandwidth.
B- Modifies and multiplexes the Ethernet services.
- The IF board modifies and multiplexes the Ethernet services and sends it using the outdoor unit.
- The network element on the other end receives these microwave signals, demodulates and demultiplexes them on its IF board, Then send it to its own packet switcher.
C- Decapsulate the packet and signals into a channel.
- The EPLA module decodes and forms a channel for Ethernet signals that transmits signals from end to end.
- The EPLA module decapsulates the packet and signals into a channel from Ethernet that transmits signals end-to-end.
- The EPLA module decapsulates the and forms a channel of Ethernet signals carrying out end-to-end signal transmission.
D- Inform it of the bandwidth changes.
- Deterioration of a microwave channel triggers an automatic modulation (AM) shift, and when this bandwidth to drop on the member link.
- The IF board on the link sends OAM packect to the switching unit to inform it of the bandwidth changes.
-The EPLA module redistributes service traffic among member links according to their relative bandwidth.
- This provides effictive bandwidth adjustment .
E- Stop distributing service traffic to the faulty link.
- When hardware fault or serious deterioration on a channel causes a member link to lose its connection.
- The EPLA module stops distributing service traffic to the faulty link .
- Service are only transmitted on links that are operating normally.
- When this occurs, the overall transmission bandwidth of the EPLA group decreases accordingly.
F- The EPLA group returns to its normal transmission mode.
- But high priority services are still able to be transmitted normally, implementing protection switching
- After a link fault is corrected, the EPLA group returns to its normal transmission mode.
Create Enhanced Physical Link Aggregation (4+0).
1-From Configuration >> Physical Link Aggregation.
2- Then press New.
3- Set PLA ID.
4- Set PLA type as EPLA.
5- Select Main Board 1- ISM6.
6- Select Main Port 1-ISM6-1-IF.
7- Select Salve Ports .
8- Select Port of 1-ISM6 by Move ISM6-2-IF to right side.
9- Select Port of 2-ISM6 by Move 2-ISM6-1-IF to right side.
10- Select Port of 2-ISM6 by Move 2-ISM6-2-IF to right side.
Next photo show IF ports of two ISM6 boards configuration
Main Board 1- ISM6 and main port 1-ISM6-1-IF
And the other three ports are in slave mode.
Best Regards,
