PDF of this tutorialDefinition
Resilient packet ring (RPR) technology is optimized for robust and efficient packet networking over a fiber ring topology. This technology incorporates extensive performance monitoring, proactive network restoration, and flexible deployment capabilities. RPR networks have the ability to carry multiple services, including jitter- and latency-sensitive traffic such as voice and video in addition to Ethernet and Internet protocol (IP) services. RPR combines the best features of legacy synchronous optical network (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) and Ethernet into one layer to maximize profitability while delivering carrier-class service.
Overview
RPR networks are optimized to transport data traffic rather than circuit-based traffic. This packet transport, with bandwidth consumed only between source and destination nodes, is more efficient than a time division multiplexing (TDM) transport such as SONET/SDH. RPR also offers the ability to differentiate and provide improved service for jitter- and latency-sensitive traffic on the ring.
Service providers and enterprise customers seek RPR solutions to deliver multiple services, instead of having data, voice, and video delivered over separate parallel networks. RPR has the unique advantage of delivering efficient data transport with the resiliency and performance required by the most demanding applications. This converged network offers service providers a path to new profitable services and offers enterprise customers a more efficient network infrastructure. Both service providers and enterprise customers benefit from the improved scalability and the ease of management of RPR networks.
Initial RPR products based on IETF RFC 2892—spatial reuse protocol (SRP)—have been deployed in networks worldwide. The IEEE 802.17 working group is currently defining an industry standard for an RPR media access control (MAC). This paper will detail the benefits and basic operation of RPR networks focusing on the proposed IEEE 802.17 implementation.
