Tech Section: Physical/Logically Shared Networks

THE PHYSICAL/LOGICALLY SHARED NETWORKS

Shared logical networks are like the San Luis reservoir in California . Water enters and exits from both the California Aqueduct and the Federal Aqueduct. The water from both aqueducts mix in the reservoir, and some of the water from one aqueduct exits through the other. The only control is careful measurement to ensure the right amount of water but not necessarily the right water exits through each aqueduct.

Shared network elements allow for expensive hardware to be spread out over several users. It also allows for operators to spread the operational cost, as well as open up sub-bulk minimums to end users. With logical separation the shared element looks to the end-user as a dedicated device. It allows an end-user to provision the best network for them even if it is duplicated by someone else on the same element.