Design Reference

Chapter 13: SPBM design guidelines
Shortest Path Bridging MAC (SPBM) is a next-generation virtualization technology that
revolutionizes the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise edge campus core networks
and data centers. The benefits of the technology are clearly evident in its ability to provide massive
scalability while at the same time reducing the complexity of the network. SPBM makes network
virtualization a much easier paradigm to deploy within the enterprise environment than other
technologies.
This chapters provides design guidelines that illustrate the operational simplicity of SPBM. It also
lists best practices to configure SPBM in your network. For more information about SPBM
fundamental concepts, command structure, and basic configuration, see Configuring Avaya VENA
Fabric Connect on Avaya Virtual Services Platform 4000 Series, NN46251-510.
Related Links
802.1aq standard on page 71
VLANs without member ports on page 73
Provisioning on page 74
Implementation options on page 75
Reference architectures on page 81
Solution-specific reference architectures on page 94
Best practices on page 99
SPBM restrictions and limitations on page 101
802.1aq standard
Avaya Virtual Services Platform 4000 Series supports the IEEE 802.1aq standard of SPBM. SPBM
makes network virtualization easy to deploy within the enterprise environment by reducing the
complexity of the network while at the same time providing greater scalability. This technology
provides all the features and benefits required by carrier-grade deployments to the enterprise
market without the complexity of alternative technologies traditionally used in carrier deployments,
for example, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). SPBM integrates into a single control plane all
the functions that MPLS requires multiple layers and protocols to support.
IS-IS
SPBM eliminates the need for multiple overlay protocols in the core of the network by reducing the
core to a single Ethernet-based link-state protocol, Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-
December 2014 Network Design Reference for Avaya VSP 4000 Series 71
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