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BPL Networking Basics, Deployment, and Operations
Dial.not
Lance Rosen
Founder & Partner, Electric Broadband
V: 845-348-3194
Email: [email protected]
Topics
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Strategy: Business & Technology
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BPL Network Design and Architecture
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Implementation: Deployment & Integration
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Operating a BPL Network
Source: John Patrick, Internet Attitude
Goals and Objectives need to be defined during the strategy phase
Business Strategy
 Business Model
Technology Strategy
 Platform Choice(s)
 Market Demand and initial  Deployment Strategy &
reach for Broadband
Costs
Services
 Applications
 Systems and Network
Integration
 Financials
 Operations
Strategy: Business & Technology
While the overall value chain associated with a BPL business has
many components, cooperative utilities have multiple structural
options
BPL
Vendor
BPL
Strategy
BPL
Integrator
Network
Ops
Service
Provider
Design, Integration, and Operations phases
 Landlord Model
 Developer Model
 Service Provider Model
Strategy: Business & Technology
Electric
Utility
A powerline network can be thought of as being comprised of three
critical pieces that create a seamless broadband infrastructure
Source: Ambient Corp.
BPL Network Design and Architecture
This infrastructure uses the internet suite of protocols based on
the ISO - OSI seven-layer model of networking. BPL architectures
utilize the OSI model
Layer
Application
Presentation
Session
Transport
Network
Datalink
Physical
OSI Layered Model
Function
Telnet, HTTP, SMTP, FTP, Gopher, etc...
Formating, translation
Login, authentication
Multiplexed packets (TCP, UDP)
End-to-End addressed datagrams (IP)
Packets (ethernet, token ring, Frame Relay)
Raw bits, coding (coax, UTP, wire, fiber, RF)
BPL
Applications
TCP
IP
Ethernet
Power Line
BPL product and software designers implement the OSI model and in some
instances have added “additional” control layers
The important thing to note in the system architecture is ‘IP’ as the network
layer. This allows everything above the network layer to operate independently
of the type of link used.
BPL Network Design and Architecture
While in the design phase, specific network questions are considered
Strategic Initiative
Interconnecting
Broadband Services
Network Enabled Applications
Network Efficiency
How can we beat the competition?
How do we interconnect disparate infrastructures?
Are Wholesale and Retail Broadband Services to
be marketed as part of the business plan?
Are Utility Applications implemented and
managed?
Is Performance Monitoring part of the SLA?
Network Administration
Who fulfills Network Administration functions
(Billing, SLA, Reporting, ...)?
Logical Network Management
Who provides the Network Operations Center
services – 24x7?
Physical Network Management
What organization monitors and manages the
physical Network Elements – 24x7?
Hardware Assets
What are the differential qualities of the BPL
Vendors?
Physical Network
Who designs and plans the utility Infrastructure,
backhaul, and last mile components?
BPL Network Design and Architecture
And a number of other components must also be designed into
the implementation
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Platform identification and selection
BPL architecture design
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Network engineering
Backhaul and Internet connectivity
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Security (authentication, spamming, pop-ups, etc...)
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Fault tolerance and redundancy
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Site Survey data
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Utility applications?
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Construction/resource management systems
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Maintenance and Emergency repair
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Trouble Management
Since BPL is a “hybrid” networking technology it requires
at least one type of interface to a backhaul network (fiber, copper,
satellite, wireless)
BPL Network Design and Architecture
What resources are required during the design phase?
 Technical staff
 Utility (Substation, Distribution Plant, Operations,
Engineering)
 Telecom (Outside Plant, NOC, Operations)
 IS (Network Operations, Systems Integration,
System Design)
 If partnering, the consortium of value chain partners is
taken under advisement
 Financial (Business Dev, accounting, revenues (credit,
billing), financial analysts)
 BPL vendor involvement
 Line crews
 Site survey teams
BPL Network Design and Architecture
What is involved with a BPL deployment?
 Network design
 Project teams with management authority
 Line crew involvement and interactivity
 Tools required for installation
 Coordination with Partners (ISP, integrators, s/w
developers)
 Testing
Implementation: Deployment & Integration
And there is a recursive risk mitigation methodology utilized during
the deployment phase to help insure avoiding a “death march”
Design
Develop
Deploy
Project Management
Risk Assessment
Change Readiness
Results Measurement
Network Construction
Project Management
Tools Required
Site Surveys
Systems Integration
Equipment configuration
Network Integration
Testing and Acceptance
Back Office Integration
FCC Part 15 compliance
Implementation: Deployment & Integration
So what can go wrong during the deployment phase?
 Short cutting to make budget and time constraints
 Inadequate installation/user training and support
 Technical failure (e.g. hardware failures, programming
bugs, operational problems)
 Technical success, business failure
(e.g. benefits not achieved)
 Lack of support from upper management
 Poor interfaces with existing systems
 Lack of resources during start-up
 Unanticipated situations
 Scope changes
Implementation: Deployment & Integration
Operating a BPL Network
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Network Operations Center
 Network element management
 Backbone management
Help Desk: customer management
Customer acquisition and activation (provisioning)
Accounting, billing, and reporting
Process and roles definition
O&M
Managing Service Level Agreements (SLA)
OSS
Asset and element management
Operating a BPL Network
Monitoring Network Performance
 Monitoring Network Performance
(e.g., SNMP, CPU Loads)
 Fault Monitoring
 MIB Browser
 IP Address Management
 Diagnostic Tools
 Security Tools
Operating a BPL Network
Depending on the BPL model chosen, resources will vary
 Maintenance
 NOC Operator
 Customer Support
 Billing Operations
Utilities can choose their level of involvement based
on risk, in-house expertise, and financial condition.
Also, value chain partners will play a prominent role
in managing and mitigating risk.
Operating a BPL Network
What’s Next...

A Real World Implementation at PPL Telecom
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Customer acquisition, care, and management
[email protected]