DSLAM

What is DSLAM?
A DSLAM, or Digital-Subscriber-Line-Access-Multiplexer, is a network distribution device that aggregates
individual subscriber lines into a high-capacity uplink. These high capacity uplinks, either ATM or Gigabit
Ethernet (GE), connect subscribers to their Internet service providers (ISPs). DSLAM units are typically
located in telephone exchanges or distribution points. They allow for the high-speed transmission of DSL
technology using legacy copper lines. Using advanced multiplexing techniques, these units salvage the
utility of the millions of copper lines that were originally deployed for telephone usage in the 1950s.
DSLAMs also come with many advanced traffic management features to separate and prioritize voice,
video, and data traffic.

Figure 1: Application of DSLAM Process

How does a DSLAM connect to customer premise equipment?

DSLAMs are the intermediary units that link end-user equipment to ISP servers located in a central office
(CO). ISPs provide end-users with customer premise equipment (CPE) such as routers or modems. These
units forward a users digital data from their computer or client device to a local cabinet located in the
vicinity of a customers premise. The data can then travel through a switch, a router, and finally a
DSLAM unit.

The DSLAM unit will aggregate or collect individual subscriber lines and transfer data from all their
subscribers onto a high-speed capacity uplink that connects to a carriers central office using fiber or
twisted pair cabling. DSLAMs allow Internet service providers to build Hybrid networks such as fiber to
the curb (FTTC) networks. By using fiber for backhaul traffic and twisted copper cables for the last mile
of a deployment, ISPs are able to build cost-effective networks that offer high-speed transmission rates.
 Figure 2

DSLAM Classifications
DSLAMs can be classified by the type of xDSL technology they support, by form factor, by architecture,
and by deployment location.

Once data arrives to a central carrier office, information is routed to a broadband remote access server
(B-RAS). These units are responsible for authenticating subscriber credentials, validating user access
policies, and routing data to their destinations.

By xDSL Type
DSLAMs can be either classified as single-service or multiservice units.

Single-Service DSLAMs
Single-service DSLAMs only have the capacity of supporting one xDSL technology. Most single-service
system DSLAM units will boast backwards compatibility with previous versions of the xDSL type they
support. An ADSL2+ DSLAM for example, will boast backwards compatibility with ADSL2 and ADSL, the
two previous generations of the ADSL2+.

Multiservice DSLAMs
Multiservice DSLAMs have the capacity of supporting several xDSL technologies. Multiservice DSLAMs
allows ISPs or carriers to address the different broadband needs of their customers. For example, a
DSLAM chassis that supports VDSL and ADSL line cards gives service providers the advantage of
delivering high-speed broadband to customers in short (using VDSL) and long distances ranges (using
ADSL). Multiservice DSLAMs allow ISPs to address scalability, port density and redundant architecture
requirements for large-scale deployments.

By Deployment Type
DSLAMs can also be classified by deployment location. A DSLAM designed for outside plant (OSP)
deployment such as the VX-M208S has a smaller subscriber capacity and a smaller form factor in
comparison to a DSLAM designed for central office (CO) deployment. OSP DSLAMs are commonly
deployed in multi-dwelling units such as apartment complexes or university campuses. These units
reside closer to a subscribers location and terminate subscriber local loops to achieve faster data
transmission rates. Hardened OSP DSLAMs provide protection against the elements.
CO DSLAMs are located in distribution points and can support up to 10,000 subscriber lines or more. CO
DSLAMs typically reside in distributed shelf architectures. These shelf units can host a number of
DSLAMs from different vendors and Internet service providers. CO DSLAMs need to fulfill stringent
standards due the large number of subscribers they support. Many CO DSLAMs feature a chassis-type
form factor with hot swappable line cards. These units allow ISPs to customize their DSLAMs into
multiservice units.

By Form Factor
DSLAMs range in size and interface options. Single-service DSLAMs typically deployed in OSP
environments, for example, offer a smaller footprint than CO DSLAMs. These OSP DSLAM units are
sometimes referred to as pizza boxes to describe standalone units. CO DSLAMs are typically chassis
DSLAMs with swappable line cards and uplink modules. Service providers can oftentimes customize
these larger DSLAMs with line cards to support multiple xDSL services. This allows them to fulfill
different bandwidth demands and subscribers located at varying distances.

By Architecture
DSLAMs can also be classified by architecture. Centralized models reserve a single central uplink card to
perform complex traffic processing. Line cards in centralized models hand-off traffic to the uplink card.
In comparison to distributed models, line cards in centralized models offer a more basic function.
Centralized architectures are designed to support a high number of subscribers.

DSLAMs with distributed architectures reserve complex traffic processing for smart line cards that are
based on programmable network processors such as line card traffic processors (LTPs). Uplink cards can
be in an Ethernet switch if the unit is used in conjunction with Ethernet backhaul or in a full-featured
network processor.

DSLAM Use Cases

Higher capacity central office (CO) DSLAMs are used in distribution points to continue forwarding
packets to their destination. But smaller single-card DSLAMs are also used in customer premises in
multi-dwelling units (MDUs) such as campuses, hotels, businesses and enterprise network
environments.

DSLAM Deployment Locations:

libraries
campuses
schools
apartments
hotels
rural areas

DSLAMs optimize high-speed transmission by terminating local subscriber loops and transferring traffic
into a high capacity uplink. In other words, connecting a series of modems to a DSLAM allows a higher-
quality link such as fiber to take over to connect customers to the Internet.
DSLAMs in Rural Areas
Broadband carriers find rural and remote areas unappealing due to low subscriber density. Areas with
low subscriber density offer lower returns of investment in comparison to metropolitan areas that boast
higher subscriber density per square mile.

Internet service providers (ISPs) are able to provide high-speed broadband to a low volume of
subscribers using single card DSLAMs.
Figure 3: DSLAM use cases
ATM DSLAMs and IP DSLAMs
DSLAMs rely on ATM and IP packet switching technology to transport data. The following will demystify
how the different methods transport information.

Cell Relay
ATM DSLAMs use the ATM protocol to relay data using permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) to relay data.
These PVCs require configuration to establish a permanent point to point (PPP) connection to a
destination using a virtual circuit.

The ATM protocol splits data into cells made up of 53 bytes. These cells contain very little routing
information due to the PPP nature of PVC connections. ATM networks can transport cells at rates of up
to 155 Mbps and 622 Mbps.

The ATM protocol establishes a virtual circuit connection from a subscriber to a DSLAM, and then to a B-
RAS. The B-RAS then terminates the PPP session and routes traffic to the core network.

As broadband began to add more complex data traffic, ATMs began to incorporate rudimentary ATM
switching fabrics, switched virtual circuits (SVCs), and a variety of other traffic management features.

Frame Relay
Broadband now includes many value-added services such as VoIP (voice-over-IP), IPTV (Internet protocol
television), VoD (video on demand) and HDTV (high-definition TV). With new concerns for bandwidth,
scalability and QoS requirements, IP DSLAMs have managed to consolidate network functions and
simplify network deployments. Many IP DSLAMs now have routing capabilities, reducing the number of
equipment needed when compared to ATM DSLAM deployments.

IP DSLAMs are a cost-effective alternative to ATM DSLAMs. Many service providers opt to build their
networks using Ethernet for their backhaul uplinks. Ethernet, such as Metro Ethernet, can be used for
both carrier backbone and access network segments.

Ethernet DSLAMs, or IP DSLAMs, transmit IP-based data known as frames as opposed to ATM-based
packets, or cells. Unlike ATM cell relay, frame relay is a packet switching technology that transmits
different sized frames. A frame carries more addressing and error handling identifier tags than ATM
packets.

Unlike ATM DSLAMs that rely on virtual circuits to relay data to their destinations, IP DSLAMs rely on
switches and relay data across constantly-shifting connection paths. However, the frame relay protocol
can also be configured to use PVC to forward packets to their destination using permanent pathways as
ATM cells do to achieve faster speeds.

The growing complexity of broadband traffic such as Triple Play services known as VoIP, IPTV, and HDTV,
have made IP-based DSLAMs and IP-Based architectures popular to do their cost-efficiency and
simplified network architecture.

(versatek.com)