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WideCast | Content-Aware Networking Solution

Table of Contents
More traffic, more challenges Caching: A faster, more effective way to deliver content
Intelligent transparent caching: Giving control back to the service provider

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Characteristics of an intelligent transparent cache The WideCast intelligent transparent cache solution
Caching all types of content Bringing the cache closer to the end user Centralized support capabilities Intelligent traffic flow Premium service-delivery options Service-aware management and application monitoring

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Realizing the value of intelligent caching

Executive Summary
As Internet traffic continues to grow, service providers are doing what they can to keep pacebut they face a variety of challenges, including dealing with network congestion, having less control over their networks, and striking the right balance between improving end-user quality of experience and reducing infrastructure and bandwidth costs. Service providers can solve many of these problems by deploying intelligent, transparent content caches throughout their networks. Without involving either the end user or the content provider, effective transparent caches automatically and dynamically adapt to the most popular content across the network without operations staff involvement, updating and storing the hottest content closer to the end user to improve response times and alleviate bandwidth bottlenecks. BTIs WideCast solution provides a scalable, carriergrade, network-aware transparent caching solution that can be deployed throughout a service providers wireline and wireless backhaul infrastructures. Through its unique set of capabilities and a suite of powerful monitoring and reporting tools, WideCast offers greater benefits in cost reduction, network control and end-user service quality than other transparent caching solutions.

About BTI Systems | BTI Systems simplifies packet-based service delivery with the range, reach and capacity of optical networking by expanding a single fiber pair up to 400 Gbps. BTI Systems helps over 300 customers converge, transition and connect voice, video and data services at their networks edge. The BTI Systems portfolio consists of the BTI 7000 Series packet optical networking platform, the BTI 700 Series Carrier Ethernet access device portfolio, and the proNX Management Suite offering element, network, service management and strategic planning capabilities. For more information visit www.btisystems.com.

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More traffic, more challenges

Its hardly news that Internet traffic is growing at an astonishing rateespecially to service providers. Ciscos Visual Networking Index projects that total traffic will be five times greater in 2013 than it was in 2009. And with service providers already flooded with traffic from sites such as YouTube, Hulu and Netflix, its no surprise that video services are expected to make up 90 percent of all Internet traffic by 2013. To keep pace with high-bandwidth services such as on-demand and streaming video, service providers have had to make significant improvements to their network infrastructures. Today, a local subscriber loop can run downstream at a speed of 10 Mb/sup to 100 times faster than just a decade ago. But while these improvements have removed bandwidth bottlenecks from the local loop, network congestion continues to be a concern. Because of the hub and spoke design of local aggregation access networks, bottlenecks are now occurring in the second or middle lines of the network. The challenges faced by todays service providers go beyond just congestion. Any potential solution to that problem must also answer the following questions: How can service providers keep pace with traffic growth while maintaining some semblance of control over their networks? How can they adapt their networks to offer content-delivery solutions that will improve end-user quality of experience and differentiate their service in an increasingly crowded marketplace? And finally, how can service providers achieve these goals while also reducing network infrastructure and bandwidth costs associated with over-the-top (OTT) content?

consumer, the better the experience (through faster download speeds and less vulnerability to network congestion). Originally, caching technology focused on basic web pagesmoving HTML files and small, static web objects closer to the end user to improve response times. However, as the bandwidth capacity of network operators increased, this basic level of caching became less necessary. Today, service-specific content caching (such as Googles cache for its own traffic) and caching services provided by content delivery networks (CDNs) such as Akamaiwhich give content owners the ability to pay to have specific content distributed more effectively throughout the Internet coreare all helping to improve the delivery of content. Yet these solutions are far from perfect. To start, as much as 80 percent of all content is simply not delivered over CDNsmeaning a whole lot of traffic is excluded. As well, CDNs can only deliver content so faronce traffic leaves a CDN server, it still needs to traverse the service providers access and edge networks. Second, CDNs dont co-locate in every service provider network, so some traffic must be delivered via a peering or transit relationship. And because most traditional content caching sits outside the network in a large data centreusually managed by a third partyservice providers actually have limited or no control whatsoever over the cache servers. As a result, service providers have little visibility into the actual productivity of those servers or the content that is being delivered from them. Finally.

Intelligent transparent caching: Giving control back to the service provider

To address these challenges, service providers have the ability to deploy intelligent transparent caching solutions inside their networks. Intelligent transparent caches are network-aware, providing a greater degree of control over what to cache, when to cache and how fast to accelerate content delivery to the end user. Unlike traditional CDN caches (which store only predetermined content), intelligent transparent caches can make better decisions about which content should be cached locally to optimize the network. The most popular content is delivered very close to the edge; less popular content is cached deeper in the network.

Caching: A faster, more effective way to deliver content

One possible answer can be found in a technology that has actually been in use for many yearscontent caching. Caching offers several benefits to service providers and their subscribers. As content delivered from the cache does not have to transit the network from the origin server to reach end users, more can be delivered faster and more consistently. Bandwidth required north of the cache can be offloaded. The more types of content the cache serves, the greater the savings; the closer the cache is to the content 2

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WideCast | Content-Aware Networking Solution

By deploying intelligent caches strategically throughout their networks, service providers can cache and deliver a wide range of content much closer to the end useras much as 75 percent of a providers consumer broadband traffic is cacheableultimately reducing the amount of transit traffic and alleviating bandwidth bottlenecks. And because they do not have a public IP address, transparent caches cannot be attacked, hacked or otherwise interfered with. In the end, transparent caching provides a greater level of control over OTT content consumption and the best possible end-to-end user experiencea situation that benefits the service provider, content owner and end user alike.

identify and adapt to shifting content-access patterns to continuously modify the networks caching solution. Automatic content verification: Intelligent transparent caches verify every request with origin servers to ensure the latest content is always served. This includes checking every request to be sure only appropriate and non-copywritten content is being served. Unlike other transparent proxy solutions that require the operator to periodically dump the entire content from the cache to force it to check back with the origins, an intelligent transparent cache will check every request automatically without intervention or multiple daily cache dumps that reduce the effective cache output. Transparency to the subscriber and content originator: Transparent caching does not require the modification of any system or browser settings by the end user: performance benefits are automatic. Likewise, it does not require any special HTML code or DNS redirection from the content origin source to a proxy cache, resulting in better performance and simpler set up and operation of intelligent caching solutions. Copyright compliance: Storing and delivering content from a cache can raise several questions pertaining to copyright and digital rights management. A transparent cache must follow the strict guidelines outlined within the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and equivalent legislation for content deployments outside of the United States. Preservation of application logic: A proper transparent cache must not affect any origin server application or service logic, ensuring that critical functions like authorization, ad play, and clickthrough impressions are preserved. Traditional transparent proxy caches typically provide the origin source no data on which content was played to which users, running afoul of the DMCA and forcing providers to implement complicated and expensive back-end content tracking systems that must be provided to all origins. Controlled by the network operator: Because a transparent cache operates across a broad range of traffic and protocols, and locations it must be embedded in the network and controlled by the service provider. Deep analytics should be captured. 3

Characteristics of an intelligent transparent cache

To be effective and easy to deploy within todays broadband networks a proper transparent cache must have the following characteristics: Network Awareness: An intelligent caching solution needs a means of screening traffic and looking only for what is cacheable. It also needs to pass along non-cacheable, low-latency traffic with no more than a microsecond or two of latency. Most transparent caching applications are not network aware and do not have these functions integrated. Non-Stop Forwarding Capabilities: Any solution must fit in line with todays broadband architectures without causing a single point of failure. If the cache goes down the service should not be interrupted. The solution must achieve 99.999% reliability or better and be maintainable without taking down thebroadband service. Multiservice caching: To address as much Internet content as possibleincluding all forms of content and large object downloads, high-bandwidth streaming video and file-sharing servicesa transparent cache must support multiple services and protocols running across the network. Automatic adaptation to popular content: A proper transparent cache needs to ingest and serve content as it becomes popular. Without requiring operator intervention, it must intelligently and dynamically

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This allows a greater degree of freedom to determine which content should be accelerated to the end user, as well as a means to do effective network planning. Improved Subscriber Quality of Experience: Intelligent network caching solutions should not only lower costs but also provide tangible, measureable overall improvement in subscriber quality of experience. The best solutions do this for all aspects of the subscriber experiencenot just for a handful of sites but for every site visited and for every large object or set of objects downloaded. Integrated solution: To be cost effective, the caching solution needs to be fully integrated at the network transport level. Integration allows caching to be distributed to locations where it will deliver the greatest benefits. Most solutions rely on disjointed networking and caching capabilities that add cost and complicate deployment. The same is true when separate policy-based routers or DPI appliances are cobbled together with third-party technologies. Integrated solutions simplify policy control and enforcement and provide a single, comprehensive view of network caching analytics. This reduces up-front complexity and implementation risk and lowers operational costs, typically yielding better overall caching efficiency and better subscriber-level broadband service QoE.

providers and their subscribers. Completely transparent to both the end user and the origin, BTIs WideCast solution is simple to deploy and simpler to run. It is ideally suited for deployment at natural points of local aggregation within the second mile from subscribers, providing cost-avoidance savings in access network infrastructure build-out. Its proximity to the subscriber (beyond the normal points of congestion) also ensures the highest and most consistent quality of experience, reducing service churn and increasing the rate of new service turn-ups. The solution is extremely reliable and can be deployed with an integrated, non-stop forwarding architecture that ensures no broadband service downtime, even during periods of maintenance or caching upgrade. Its integration on a carrier-grade lights-out management platformwith integrated storage and network-level application routingallow it to be deployed in nontraditional data center environments. This means service providers can transform any location into a lights-out data centerremote central offices and manned or unmanned locations including controlled environment vaults, wiring closets and cages, serving area interfaces, base stations and outside plant cabinets. Service providers can choose to centralize or distribute the transparent cache within their networks. Working in both wireless backhaul and wireline environments, the WideCast solution can be deployed on its own or as an extension to any mix of current CDN solutions.

The WideCast intelligent transparent cache solution

The BTI Systems WideCast transparent cache solution meets the full set of the needs of both service

Figure 1. WideCast platform placement options.

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WideCast | Content-Aware Networking Solution

Compared to other caching solutions, the BTI Systems Combined with a carrier-grade Linux operating WideCast transparent cache offers service providers system, the WideCasts LOM capabilities assure that several tangible benefits: any operational issue can be dealt with at a central location without the need for on-site staff. Caching all types of content Intelligent traffic flow The WideCast solution is unique in that it can cache a wide mix of content. This includes not only websites BTI Systems packetVX is the WideCast solutions and streaming video, but also downloads such as policy-based application routing module. It runs a operating system and application updates. It supports suite of software that redirects cacheable applications the major P2P protocols, allowing for the caching of into the cache engine but allows others (such as both downstream and upstream objects. By caching a email, VoIP or instant messaging) to bypass the larger portion of traffic running through the network, cache. This protects the cache from having to process it improves end-user quality of experience while unnecessary traffic and assures no additional reducing bandwidth consumption north of the cache. latency is added to those applications. In addition, packetVX can automatically detect if the cache is not Bringing the cache closer to the end user available and bypass all traffic, making routine cache maintenance easy without affecting service. packetVX Consisting of a compact, open-server platform and can be put in-line and made redundant, providing a policy-based application routing switch that goes extremely high availability and supporting a nonstop inside the BTI Systems 7000 series carrier-grade forwarding architecture that passes traffic even NEBs3 platform, WideCast is designed not only for during cache upgrades and in normal maintenance traditional data centres but also remote COs, wiring windows. closets, and outside plant vaults, huts and base stations. Just 4U high, 19 inches wide and 12 inches Premium service-delivery options deep, it can be mounted in any standard service provider CO or cabinet two-post rack. Low-draw DC The additional bandwidth opened up by the use of the as well as AC power options make it ideal for nonWideCast platform can be used to enable the delivery traditional data center environments. Unlike most of premium services without impacting quality of COTS platforms, the WideCast solution can fit within experience for other service subscribers. This creates existing central office D-hubs, base station shelves a service saleable to third-party providers using the and power/cooling footprints without requiring access network including Internet hotspot providers, expensive facility upgrades. hotels, resorts, universities and others looking to offer a differentiated level of experience to their clientele. With its own integrated application routing functions, WideCast requires no expensive upgrades to core The WideCast architecture optionally allows service routers before its deploymentand no complicated or providers to selectively cache and prioritize select unreliable DPI appliances. Racks of competing CDN content to all or a subset of subscribers. The same solutions cannot typically out-cache the WideCast architecture that can be used to lower costs can solution or match its small footprint. also be used to support tiered services to broadband users, improving download rates up to ten times In addition, the WideCasts low power draw (less than or more while yielding an as much as sevenfold 500 W) and ability to operate with limited or no air improvement in the resolution of streamed services conditioning gives service providers more flexibility all without having to actively manage the content. as to where to place the platform, allowing it to be Unlike typical CDN solutions, WideCast can open up deployed in non-traditional locationsbringing the additional bandwidth and prioritize traffic to a set of cache even closer to end subscribers. premium subscribers. By serving the content from closer to the user, ensures compliance with QoE Centralized support capabilities SLAs to a degree not possible when content is served from a centralized data center through a constricted, The WideCast platform provides full lights-out oversubscribed broadband middle mile. Aggregation management (LOM) capabilities, turning any remote, networks (including todays POPs) are typically unmanned location into a lights-out data center. 5

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oversubscribed at least 100:1. Without WideCast, the aggregation network would have to be overbuilt and improved 100 fold or more. With WideCast, the existing broadband aggregation infrastructure does not have to be upgraded, and the need for future upgrades decreases by 60% or more. Because WideCast is a flexible, open platform that can run other third-party applications, it provides an ideal environment for CDNs to deploy applications further into the network, such as video-on-demand application providers looking to lower content-serving costs and increase simultaneous usage while improving the overall end-user experience. Service-aware management and application monitoring Maintaining control over their networks is a huge priority for service providers. Thats why the WideCast solution works with BTIs proNX Service Management toolset to give providers service-level control of their networks. Both service and application aware, proNX Service Management spans capabilities from the optical to the application layer. In particular, it helps in setting up Ethernet services circuits that comply to endto-end service metrics. Adding the BTI proNX Service Management toolset allows service providers to monitor and subsequently control the applications and content running through their networks.
Figure 2. Bandwidth in/out and cache productivity.

The above histogram shows the total bandwidth served from the WideCast versus the bandwidth incoming to the node. The productivity of the cache is represented by the difference between the incoming bandwidth line and the top edge of the histogram. In this example, the cache shows an average productivity increase of about 40 percent. (This varies as the reporting interval is lengthened or shortened.) Periodic spikes of content downloads handled by the cachefor example, major software updates (such as Microsofts Patch Tuesdays)can cause the content served from the cache to spike up to high percentages over short intervals.

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WideCast | Content-Aware Networking Solution

Figure 3. Subscriber response-time improvement reporting.

The proNX tools also monitor subscriber response-time improvement by measuring bandwidth and duration for each object delivered from the cache to each subscriber. As well, they measure and compare the same metrics for non-cached objects that transit the cache. In the example above, the monitoring report shows a seven times improvement in the response time to complete the object delivery over objects that are delivered in the clear.
Figure 4. Top URL reporting.

The Top URL report can be customized to show top sites by unique visits, kilobytes delivered or kilobytes played out of the cache. The example to the left lists the top 20 sites delivered from a WideCast cache in early June 2010. What is evident is the breadth of content that can be captured and played from the cachethis list includes not only websites such as YouTube but also application downloads, gaming data and other repetitive, unencrypted data accessed from services such as the Apple Store.

Realizing the value of intelligent caching

When it comes to serving content to subscribers quickly and, in the process, alleviating peering costs for service providers, CDNs are very good at what they do. But theres an enormous amount of traffic that CDNs simply do not serveand thats where the value of intelligent, transparent caching can be realized. Distributed throughout a carrier network, transparent caching will improve subscribers experience and reduce peering costsbut only if it can adapt to constantly changing user behavior and content patterns and, perhaps most importantly, if it can scale economically to thousands or even millions of subscribers. BTIs WideCast solution provides a scalable, transparent cache that can be deployed further into a service providers wireline and wireless backhaul infrastructures to provide the greatest benefits in cost reduction, increased network control and improved end-user service quality.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. BTI Systems, the BTI corporate logo, proNX are trademarks of BTI Systems Inc. 2011 BTI Systems Inc. All rights Reserved. For more information please contact us at info@btisystems.com or call +1 613.287.1700 or +1 866.626.9154, (toll free in North America).

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