5 Criteria for VLAN MIB definitions

1. Broad Market Potential

A standards project authorized by IEEE 802 shall have a broad market potential. Specifically, it shall have the potential for:

a) Broad sets of applicability.

This standard will be applicable to all existing applications of VLAN Bridge technology.

b) Multiple vendors and numerous users.

The multiple bridge vendors that are represented in the IEEE 802.1 WG have all expressed strong interest in this work.

c) Balanced costs.

Enhanced MIB definitions are not expected to materially increase the cost of individual VLAN bridges, while lowering the overall cost of newly designed large bridged networks through improved and standardized management functionality.

2. Compatibility

IEEE 802 defines a family of standards. All standards shall be in conformance with the IEEE 802.1 Architecture, Management and Internetworking documents as follows: 802. Overview and Architecture, 802.1D, 802.1Q and parts of 802.1f. If any variances in conformance emerge, they shall be thoroughly disclosed and reviewed with 802.

Each standard in the IEEE 802 family of standards shall include a definition of managed objects which are compatible with systems management standards.

This amendment will not change the conformance of IEEE Std 802.1Q to Std 802. Overview and Architecture, or its relationship to that specification.

Equipment conforming to the proposed amendment to IEEE Std 802.1Q will be compatible and interoperable with bridge implementations that conform to IEEE Std 802.1D and prior revisions of IEEE Std 802.1Q, and support of existing network configurations will be retained in parallel with use of the additional capabilities provided by this amendment. No change to end stations will be required to take advantage of these capabilities.

This project will define MIB modules in compliance with IETF STD 58. The definition of the managed objects shall be compatible with existing management standards.

3. Distinct Identity

Each IEEE 802 standard shall have a distinct identity. To achieve this, each authorized project shall be:

a) Substantially different from other IEEE 802 standards

IEEE Std 802.1Q is the sole and authoritative specification for VLANs and VLAN-aware Bridges and is the appropriate place to document VLAN Bridge MIBs.

b) One unique solution per problem (not two solutions to a problem).

There are no other IEEE projects with the same scope and purpose. The IETF Bridge Working Group is no longer accepting new work items and has requested that IEEE 802 take on this work item.

c) Easy for the document reader to select the relevant specification.

IEEE Std 802.1Q is the natural reference for VLAN bridging technology, which will make the capabilities added by this amendment easy to locate.

4. Technical Feasibility

 For a project to be authorized, it shall be able to show its technical feasibility. At a minimum, the proposed project shall show:

 a) Demonstrated system feasibility.

The proposed amendment is based on known 802.1Q VLAN and IETF MIB technology.

b) Proven technology, reasonable testing.

The proposed amendment is based on known 802.1Q VLAN and IETF MIB technology. A number of vendor specific proprietary MIB modules exist today which are shipping commercially. A number of non-commercial MIB modules have also been developed. The proposed MIB module will be modeled after these existing, proven solutions.

c) Confidence in reliability.

The reliability of this solution is anticipated to be the same as that of others based on existing solutions.

d) Coexistence of 802 wireless standards specifying devices for unlicensed operation.

Not applicable.

5. Economic Feasibility

 For a project to be authorized, it shall be able to show economic feasibility (so far as can reasonably be estimated), for its intended applications. At a minimum, the proposed project shall show:

 a) Known cost factors, reliable data.

SMIv2 MIB modules are widely deployed today. Experience has shown that implementing SMIv2 MIB modules does not incur any significant incremental costs. The proposed technology is not expected to materially alter individual VLAN Bridge equipment costs, while lowering the overall costs of new network designs (see also Broad Market Potential).

b) Reasonable cost for performance.

The proposed technology will provide additional network functionality without the addition of equipment.

c) Consideration of installation costs.

Installation costs of VLAN Bridges are not expected to be significantly affected; the use of this technology may improve speed of installation as a consequence of improved management capability.