Optical Networking Best Practices Handbook

A.2. PRESENT MODE OF OPERATION

In the present mode of operation, the enterprise uses a distributed router network with service provider-managed ATM PVCs connecting all five sites in a full mesh topology. As can be seen from the network diagram in Figure A.1, the router at each site is equipped with the appropriate ATM interfaces, either DS1, DS3, or OC-3 cards that provide the connectivity between the service provider's core network and LAN at each of the enterprise's sites [1]. Analysis by the IT organizations shows that network traffic currently averages 50 kbps per user during the busy hour and is growing at the rate of 20% per year.

A study by the IT organization on the impacts of centralizing the enterprise's computing resources at the existing Data Center location, predicts that the per-user busy-hour traffic will increase from 50 to 100 kbps in the first year of the project. In addition, the rate of network traffic growth will also increase from the current 20 to 40%/year. The study also projects that to achieve the desired level of access to applications and information, centralizing the computing resources will require a five-fold increase in the amount of bandwidth required by the fifth year of the study period [1].

Figure A.1. Present ATM network.