Communications Protocol Migration Made Easy

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Communications Protocol Migration Made Easy

• Terry Swiatkiwsky
• Digital Presence

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Agenda

• What is Protocol Migration?
• Basic methods
• Encapsulation
• Conversion
• Comparison
• Example New devices and a new network
• Example New network and a new application
• Software vs Hardware protocol conversion
• ComNet Software Protocol Converter

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What is Protocol Migration?

• Broadly speaking
• Adopting a network protocol different to the one
  currently being used
• Involving one or more of
• Replacing the network backbone
• Using a new protocol at the Host
• Using a new protocol at the Device

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Basic Methods

• Protocol Encapsulation (Tunneling)
• Protocol Conversion

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Protocol Encapsulation (Tunneling)

• The legacy protocol at the end points (Device and
  Host) remain unchanged
• Only the underlying network backbone is replaced
• Not suitable for incorporating new protocol
  devices (or hosts) into a legacy environment
• The legacy protocol is sent over the new protocol
  by encapsulating it with the new protocols
  header (a wrapper)
• The new protocols header is removed when
  received at the other end.

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Protocol Encapsulation
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Protocol Encapsulation

• Advantages
• Network costs may be lower
• Network may be more reliable (alternate routing)
• No changes required to actual Device or Host
• Disadvantages
• Additional hardware and/or software required at
  each Device and Host
• Polling of legacy protocol may still be carried
  across new network (can be 30 of network
  traffic)
• Potential flow control issues (eg. different
  protocol timing and network latency issues may
  cause timeouts, retransmissions)
• Spending on additional hardware/software to
  preserve legacy environment when could be
  investing in new technology
• Maintenance of legacy hardware continues.

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Protocol Conversion

• The legacy protocol is actually terminated at
  some point
• Legacy protocol is converted and data carried
  forward using only the new protocol (no
  additional wrapper)

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Protocol Conversion
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Protocol Conversion

• Advantages
• Lower network costs
• Network may be more reliable (alternate routing)
• Migration strategy to replace legacy environment
• Costs incurred are directed toward real migration
  to new protocol
• Disadvantages
• Additional hardware and/or software required at
  each end

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Comparison ofConversion vs Encapsulation
Conversion Encapsulation
Allows network backbone replacement v v
Positions you closer to true migration from legacy to new protocols v
Less legacy hardware (than encapsulation) v
Less legacy maintenance v
Less network traffic (vs 2 protocol headers) v X
Retains legacy polling across network X
Additional legacy-oriented hardware X
Potential protocol conflict issues X
Note These comparisons are generalizations. Your
specific environment, objectives priorities
must be taken into consideration.
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Example Migration to new network devices
The following slides will show migration progress
comparing the Conversion and Encapsulation
approaches
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Example Migration to new network devices (p2)
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Example Migration to new network devices (p3)
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Example Migration to new network devices (p4)
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Another ExampleMigration to new network
Application (p1/3)
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Migration to new network Application (p2/3)
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Migration to new network Application (p3/3)
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Software vs Hardware Protocol Conversion
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Comparison ofSoftware vs Hardware Protocol
Conversion
Software Hardware
More efficient legacy comms handling on NonStop v X
No significant additional hardware v X
Less legacy maintenance v X
Lower cost (hardware, deployment, operations) v X
Backout possible using software only v X
No changes in the NonStop configuration X v
Note These comparisons are generalizations. Your
specific environment, objectives priorities
must be taken into consideration.
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ComNetSoftware Protocol Converter for NonStop

• Provide a transparent connection between legacy
  devices and modern hosts, or modern devices and
  legacy hosts.
• ComNet handles the protocol conversion so that
  both the device and host believe they are using
  the same protocol.
• The ComNet solution offers a broad range of
  application and is ideal for a phased migration
  from legacy protocols to TCP/IP.

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ComNet - Features

• Converts any-to-any (supported) protocol
• Multiple backup connections per session
• Dynamic configuration
• Loopback capabilities
• Customizable with your own user-written routines
• Powerful operator interface provides seamless
  global view and control over all ComNet sessions
• Scalable architecture to support thousands of
  sessions
• Quick and easy to install.

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ComNet - Applications

• Migration
• Software protocol converter as described earlier
• Protocol Services API
• Write applications using simple OS calls (open,
  write, read) and ComNet will provide all protocol
  handling and manage backup connections
• Enable Applications with Backup Connections
• ComNet can augment an existing connection with
  multiple backup connections
• Testing
• ComNet connects NonStop legacy comms to your LAN
  so now you can use PC-based test tools to test
  your application on the NonStop
• Software Modem Eliminator
• Loopback connection between applications without
  any comms ports or hardware modem eliminator
  even between different protocols!
• Remote Device Connection
• Connect a legacy device in your own test lab,
  across a VPN, to a legacy comms application on a
  remote NonStop (Itanium).

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ComNet - Benefits

• Low cost
• Maximizes your investment in existing software
  and hardware.
• Avoids the expense of new protocol conversion
  hardware and its deployment, maintenance and
  operational costs.
• ComNet is a software solution which is easy to
  install, maintain and operate.
• Flexible short term and long term licensing
  options.
• Reliable
• High availability is offered by multiple backup
  connections for every session.
• Utilizes existing highly reliable HP NonStop
  communications hardware.
• Flexible
• Dynamic configuration maximizes uptime.
• Scalable across multiple processors.
• Suitable for broad range of application

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More Information

• www.comnetnonstop.com
• enquiries_at_comnetnonstop.com
• Visit the Digital Presence display at the ITUGHP
  Partner Pavilion
• Fill in our Questionnaire and be entered into our
  draw for a Nikon Digital Camera.