Adding Virtual Connection Endpoints (VCEs)

  • Updated on Jan 25, 2024
  • Published on Dec 15, 2021
  • 4 minute(s) read
  • Andrea Hilton
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Depending on the use case, a VCE element has a “component type” attribute: Customer (CVLAN), Operator (S-VLAN) or Tunnel (S-VLAN):

  • A Tunnel VCE is used for trunking use cases (Access Provider).
  • An Operator VCE is used to tag the data frames in the operator's network.
  • A Customer VCE is used to handle customer (tagged or untagged) traffic (usually at UNI and at VUNI).

To add a new VCE or edit an existing VCE

  1. Access Virtual Connection ▶VCE ▶Configuration.
    A list of all existing VCEs and their current status is displayed.

  2. Click Add to create a new VCE or click the Name of an existing VCE to edit its settings.

  3. Enter values in the required fields, then click Apply.

Note: A type Tunnel VCE will create an implicit VCA which can be included within another VCA. Also, a VCE with both TP A and TP Z ports configured as external will generate an implicit VCA.

For more information on specific parameters, refer to the following table.

VCE Configuration and Status (Virtual Connection ▶VCE ▶Configuration)

Parameter Description
VCE Name A name that uniquely identifies the VCE on the Skylight element: GT.
Type Type indicates which type of VCE is being created. The default is Customer. The available options are:
  • Customer
  • Operator
  • Tunnel
TPID The TPID (Tag Protocol Identifier). Specifies the type of VLANtagging used in the frames that will be handled by this VCE. Available tag protocol options are:
  • 0x8100: C-VLAN
  • 0x88a8: S-VLAN
  • 0x9100: T-VLAN
Component ID The ID of the Component into which the VCE will be attached. Specifying 0 indicates that the system shall automatically assign a component ID.
Frame Type Specifies the type of frames that will be selected for handling by this VCE.

Available options are:

  • all-to-one: Multiple frames that are associated with a single VLAN. Used for port-based service interface definition.
  • untagged: Frames that are not associated with a VLAN.
  • vlan-tagged: Frames that are associated with a VLAN.
  • any: Frames that are associated with any VLAN.
Relay Action Select the action to be performed on incoming frames.
  • tag: Add a VLAN tag to untagged frames.
  • untag: Remove a VLAN tag from tagged frames.
  • preserve: Keep the VLAN tag of tagged frames.
  • translate: Change the VLAN ID of tagged frames.
A VCE can only perform one action. If you need to perform a series of actions, you must define multiple VCEs.
TP A Use this parameter to configure the incoming Terminal Point (TP). The TP A is a virtual UNI (User Network Interface) port. It can be either:
  • External: is used to identify the TP as being connected to an external port.
  • Internal: is used to identify the TP as being connected to another VCE.
TP Z Use this parameter to configure the outgoing Terminal Point (TP). The TP Z is always a virtual NNI (Network Network Interface) port. It can be either:
  • External: is used to identify the TP as being connected to an external port.
  • Internal: is used to identify the TP as being connected to another VCE.
TP A Port The TP A Port defines the Ingress port of VCE.
TP Z Port The TP Z Port defines the Egress port of VCE.
TP A VID The TP A VID is used to assign a VID to frames. When Frame Type is configured as 'untagged' the option is unavailable. A single VLAN-ID chosen from the range 1–4094 is assigned to this parameter. If the Frame Type is Customer, multiple VLANIDs may be specified in the following format: [-],[-] ...(e.g. 1, 2, 100–200 will include VIDs 1, 2, 100, 101, 102, 103... 200).
TP Z VID The TP Z VID is applicable when 'vid-relay-action' is set to 'translate' or 'tag'. Only a single value for the VID may be specified.

CoS Mapping

Parameter Description
TP A PCP Mapping The TP A PCP Mapping is the ingress CoS profile name with the type PCP.
TP Z PCP Mapping The TP Z PCP Mapping is the egress CoS profile name with the type PCP.

VCE Examples

This section provides examples of how to set up the VCEs required for two different types of sessions on the unit:

VCE Settings Example #1: C-VLAN Bridge

Parameter Description
VCE Name C_VID_1000
Type Customer
TPID 0x8100
Frame type Vlan-tagged
VID Relay Action Preserve
TP A Port PORT-1
TP A VID 1000
TP A PCP Mapping
TP Z Port PORT-8
TP Z VID 1000
TP Z PCP Mapping
Component ID 1

VCE Settings Example #2: Tagged Service Interface

Parameter Description
VCE Name C_VID_1000
Type Customer
TPID 0x8100
Frame type Vlan-tagged
VID Relay Action Preserve
TP A Port PORT-6
TP A VID 1000
TP A PCP Mapping
TP Z Port PORT-8
TP Z Internal
TP Z VID 1000
TP Z PCP Mapping
Component ID 1

VCE Settings Example #3: Operator

Parameter Description
VCE Name S_VID_5
Type Operator
TPID 0x88A8
Frame type all-to-one
VID Relay Action Tag
TP A Internal
TP A VID
TP A PCP Mapping
TP Z PORT-5
TP Z VID 5
TP Z PCP Mapping
Component ID 2

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