Introduction
Core Transit can provide static IP addresses and internet termination services in various situations where a static IP address is otherwise unavailable. The Ethernet Anywhere static IP architecture includes use cases such as mobile locations, locations with no wired connectivity options, or cases where a backup LTE wireless connection is desired. The static IP addresses can also be made available behind service provider carrier-grade NAT (network address translation) gateways or on networks where IP address allocation is dynamic.
Technical Summary
To deliver these services Ethernet Anywhere Edge Lite device builds a tunnel to the Core Transit network. A tunnel is simply data encapsulated and routed over an underlying network in network connectivity. In the diagram below the Edge Lite device on the left builds this tunnel over the underlying network back to a preselected Core Transit data center. In addition to LTE, satellite and broadband internet connections can also serve as redundant paths to Core Transit when needed.
Getting Connected
With an Ethernet Anywhere Edge Lite in place, provisioning a static IP address is easy. Simply plug your router or firewall directly into the designated port on the back of the Edge Lite. This interface will present the connection as if an ethernet cable has been stretched between the Core Transit network directly to your device. With an active link, you can then configure your device with the static IP address information provided by Core Transit.
IP Addressing Designs
The default configuration is a simple point-to-point ethernet link leveraging the RFC 3021 IPv4 /31 addressing configuration. This allows Core Transit to keep addressing as efficent. If you device does not support this configuration optional /30 and larger IPv4 address blocks are also available.
WAN Address Block Design
The Core Transit standard addressing design is to implement addresses on the link between Core Transit and the end customer end device. This is simple yet flexible suiting most applications. Address block size can be adjusted when you order to further add flexibility to the configuration as needed. The default configuration is an IPv4 /31. A /30, /29, or larger block is also an option if your device does not support this configuration or if you need to address multiple devices directly. In this case, all publicly addressed interfaces will leverage the IP address on Core Transit’s side of the link as their default gateway or default route. In the digram below a switch is used to break out this connection to service more endpoints.
Route IP Block Design
An alternative design would be to leverage the point-to-point link between Core Transit and the customer router strictly as a point-to-point WAN link with an address block routed down the link by Core Transit. This design permits additional flexibility and allows the administrator to use this address block with more flexibility for NAT, or to route deeper into the customer network.
