IIESoc has been working behind the scenes for "Connections 2018" - a Pre-IETF 103 forum in bangalore on October 31st - Novemeber 1st 2018, to get protocol developers, academicians and network operators together on the same platform to discuss the latest problems facing the internet and the solutions relevant to them. This is being done with a focus on India and Indian contributions to the Internet.
This blog is part of the speaker series that introduces the various amazing speakers that are part of the event. Next in the series is Ali Sajassi.
Bio: Ali Sajassi is a Distinguished Engineer at Cisco Systems where he has been working on network virtualization and overlay solutions for SP, DC, and Enterprise segments. These solutions include multicast for L2, L3, and IRB overlay networks, distributed virtual PE using DC fabric, service function chaining in SPDC, inter-DC solutions with seamless integration of L2/L3VPN PEs, next gen Metro and aggregation networks for SPs, and virtualized overlay private networks for Enterprises. Some of the areas of his expertise are L2VPN, L3VPN, BGP, Multicast VPN, Network Virtualization Overlay for data centers, and inter-DC technologies and protocol. He has invented numerous technologies and protocols with wide applicability in SP, DC, and Enterprise networks. He invented EVPN and PBB-EVPN and introduced them to networking industry in 2009. Prior to EVPN, he innovated PBB-VPLS, H-VPLS with QinQ access, CFM (IEEE 802.1ag), and co-invented SPB-VID (IEEE 802.1aq) and SPB-ECMP (IEEE 802.1Qbp). He has participated at IETF, IEEE, and ITU standards groups and he has made numerous contributions to these groups in the area of L2 and L3 VPN and Metro Ethernet. Ali has over 90 patents registered to his name. Ali received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. in Computer Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and he completed his Ph.D. studies at George Washington University in the area of networking and communications.
Talk: EVPN & IPv6 application for its underlay and Overlay
EVPN has become the de-facto standard for fabric overlays and inter-site connectivity in the Data Center market segment, for next generation VPNs in the Service Provider market segment, and for fabric overlay and WAN connectivity in Enterprise networks. Today's data center networks and their associated inter-connect WAN networks require efficient and flexible multi-homing, efficient fabric bandwidth utilization, flexible workload placement both within and across DCs, seamless workload mobility both within and across DCs, high scale multi-tenancy, optimal forwarding for both intra and inter subnet traffic, and seamless integration with existing L2VPN and L3VPN networks. This session talks about some of the main requirements; features needed in today's data center applications and how EVPN can meet these needs and then some. The emphasis will be on IPv6 for both overlay and underlay networks.
Checkout other talks at - https://www.connections.iiesoc.in/abstract
We also asked Ali a few questions regarding his IETF contributions and involvement.
1. How did you get involved in the IETF? Was there a particular issue that led to your involvement? I got involved when the IETF started to work on multi-point Ethernet VPN over MPLS/IP (i.e., VPLS) which was around 2001. With my background in Ethernet and L2, it was a good fit to get involved at the onset of the VPLS activity.
2. What is your opinion on the importance of the IETF in the Internet eco-system?
IETF plays a key role in Internet eco-system because it is considered as the SDO authority for standardization of Internet related protocols.
3. What technical changes do you see coming in the next few years?
Wrt IETF, I see more collaboration and joint activities in defining Internet related standards.
4. What are some of the most interesting changes you have seen at the IETF?
Participations and contributions are getting more global over the years which is great!
5. What would be your advice for a new-comer from the sub-continent, on how to get involved?
Start with an area that it is directly related to your work and of interest (hopefully what you are working on is what you are interested in
Follow the work in your area in the corresponding IETF WG
If a draft (either individual or WG draft or RFC) is ambiguous, then start asking questions on the mailing list and offer text. Be polite and don’t just raise issues without suggestions.
Start attending the WGs of interest and making connections with the authors
Dont miss this oppurtunity to join us for the event. The tickets for the event are availaible at - https://www.connections.iiesoc.in/tickets