Eric Frans Elisa Borghs

Prototyping Ethernet in the First Mile over point-to-point copper

Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) over the point-to-point copper subscriber access network is being standardised in the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force. An overview is given of the functional layer model that uses the VDSL physical layer which fulfils the EFM objectives. The layers under definition (PTM-TC & EoVDSL-AL) are described together with possible scenarios for the problems to be resolved. To enable exploration of different solutions on the level of standardisation, system architecture and implementation, a flexible prototype is developed, that will provide proof of concept. It is built around an FPGA that has a scalable architecture and is easy adaptable because of its modularity, and delivers re-usable building blocks, either for ASIC integration or for a low-cost FPGA.

Introducing security services in DSL access and edge networks

Current DSL access and edge networks are typically deployed to offer best-effort high speed Internet access to small office and home environments. Future DSL access and edge networks will offer an evolution to higher bandwidth in the last mile. They will also be used by telecom operators to increase their average revenue per user by offering new services (such as security services) to the end users. In the brand range of advanced security services, we selected a service mix formed by a firewall and a network intrusion detection system for a feasibility study of their introduction in the future access and edge network. The study focuses on the relation between the complexity of the service and available computational technologies in the access and edge network. The evaluation results indicate that moderate complexity security services can be considered for integration. High complexity security services are unlikely to be deployed in the access and edge network.