User Interface for DCN
The DCN user interface connects a host, switch, or router to the DCN network. The user connection consists of a data connection from the user to the network and a control or request connection to the network control plane. In OIF terminology, this is a UNI – User Network Interace. In the DICE User Interface, there are two major parts to the control part of the UNI:
- Connection request and authorization
- Connection establishment
These are orthogonal steps and, in the general protocol case, may be implemented as coordinated or as independent services. Current thinking of the “ideal” network the connection request and authorization would be done in one of two ways depending on the needs of the user. Two classes connection are either:
- Request a P2P connection from a network provider; this assumes that the network provider finds and authorizes a path from networks known to it and that networks collaborate to share topology.
OR
- Request service from a GRID provider who requests required segments from each network to provide appropriate path(s). This assumes that the grid provider knows a set of networks and other resources and that the grid provider finds and gets authorization for a path through networks.
The above figure shows a multi-network infrastructure. The network provider knows the whole topology of the networks and, when it gets a request for a connection between host1 and host 2, it determines the correct path. The grid provider might know the network connections between host1 and host3 but not be aware of net3, net8, or host2. If the grid provider receives a request for a connection between host1 and host2, it determines an appropriate path from known topology.
Over time, multiple path provider capabilities will be developed. These all use the facilities of the IDC to find topologies and to request and signal dynamic circuits.
