Shared backup router resources: realizing virtualized network resilience

The emergence of multilayer networking capabilities opens the path for the deployment of advanced network architectures and resilience concepts. In this article we propose a novel resource-efficient homing scheme we call dual homing with shared backup router resources (SBRR). As the scheme realizes shared routerlevel redundancy with the help of dynamic circuit-switched services, it can achieve significantly lower network costs than today´s dual homing architectures. We focus on the discussion of operational aspects related to control plane functions and the evaluation of cost savings. In addition, we address further issues such as the impact of the new homing architecture on the end-to-end connection availability and energy efficiency.