1. Modeling Inventory
  2. Working with Logical Device, Physical Device, and Equipment Specifications
  3. Working with Flow Interface Specifications

Working with Flow Interface Specifications

Flow interfaces partition media interfaces (device interfaces at the top of their hierarchies) into virtual channels based on bit rate. Flow interfaces are used with flow identifiers (such as VLAN IDs) to trace the path of services through the device interfaces and connectivities in multipoint and point-to-point service arrangements.

Flow interfaces terminate packet connectivity only. They specify the termination type of the connectivities terminated on their parent device interfaces. There are four termination types defined by Flow Interface specifications:

  • Access. Indicates that the purpose of an interface is to terminate connectivity that provides access to a service provider network, such as Ethernet UNI connectivity.

  • Internetwork. Indicates that the purpose of an interface is to terminate connectivity that interconnects two service provider networks, such as Ethernet E-NNI connectivity.

  • Trunk. Indicates that the purpose of an interface is to terminate connectivity that connects equipment and devices in the same network, such as Ethernet I-NNI connectivity.

  • Unknown. Indicates that the purpose of the interface is unknown. Used to support scenarios not covered by the Access, Internetwork, and Trunk termination types.

Flow interfaces are similar to sub-device interfaces, but have configurations that capture their attributes.

When working with Flow Interface specifications, see the following topics: