Cisco Systems Network Router manual Introduction to PNNI, The PNNI Network Database, C H A P T E R

C H A P T E R 1

Introduction to PNNI

Private Network-to-Network Interface (PNNI) is a suite of network protocols that can be used to discover an ATM network topology, create a database of topology information, and route calls over the discovered topology. With proper planning, setting up a PNNI network is much easier and faster than manually configuring connections through an ATM network.

This chapter introduces the PNNI network database and the following common network topologies:

•The Single Peer Group Topology

•The Hierarchical PNNI Network Topology

•PNNI Internetworking with AINI

•PNNI Internetworking with IISP

This chapter also provides guidelines on how you can apply these topologies using the following switches:

•Cisco MGX 8830 Release 3.0 and higher

•Cisco MGX 8850 (PXM1E) Release 3.0 and higher

•Cisco MGX 8850 (PXM45) Release 2.0 and higher

•Cisco MGX 8880 Media Gateway Release 5.0 and higher

•Cisco MGX 8950 with Release 2.1.60 or later software

•Cisco BPX 8600 and Cisco Service Expansion Shelf (SES) with SES Release 1.0 or later software

The PNNI Network Database

PNNI is commonly referred to as a link state protocol, which means that the protocol collects information about the current state of links and nodes in the network to build a network database. The PNNI network database can be used to determine the network structure and the current state of network components. To build the PNNI network database, each PNNI node must receive topology information from all the other devices in the network. To keep the database current, the node must receive regular updates from other nodes.

	Cisco PNNI Network Planning Guide for MGX and SES Products, Release 5
Part Number OL-3847-01 Rev. D0, April, 2004		1-1