27-04-2011, 10:16 AM
Presented By..
Namrata Pawar
MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS)
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Introduction
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), is a mechanism in high-performance telecommunications networks which directs and carries data from one network node to the next with the help of labels. MPLS makes it easy to create "virtual links" between distant nodes. It can encapsulate packets of various network protocols.
MPLS Architecture
Labels
A label is short, fixed length physically continuous identifier which is used to identify a FEC ( forwarding equivalence class), usually of local significance.
FEC is a representation of group of labels that shares same requirements for their transport.
LSR’s
Label Switch Router-
An LSR is a high-speed router device in the core of an MPLS network that participates in the establishment of LSPs using the appropriate label signaling protocol and high-speed switching of the data traffic based on the established path.
Label Edge Router-
An LER is a device that operates at the edge of the access network and MPLS network. LER’s support multiple port connected to dissimilar networks(such as frame relay ,ATM, and Ethernet) and forward this traffic on the MPLS.
The Label Stack
Label stack carries a number of labels organized as a last-in, first out stack.
The processing is always based on the top label.
An unlabeled packet can be thought as a packet whose label stack is empty.
MPLS - The Motivation
IP Protocol Suite - the most predominant networking technology.
Voice & Data convergence on a single network infrastructure.
Continual increase in number of users.
Demand for higher connection speeds.
Increase in traffic volumes.
Ever-increasing number of ISP networks.
MPLS Traffic Engineering
MPLS Traffic Engineering (TE) provides high quality IP service.
TE is primary done by external tools. This solution allows flexibility and customization.
Applications of MPLS
Provide a mechanism to prioritize LSPs the case of resource contention.
Automatic bandwidth adjustment.
Provide precise control over how a path is rerouted in case of a single or multiple failures.
Hop by Hop Routed Traffic.
Explicitly Routed LSP.
reduce (not eliminate!) packet loss.
Multi-Path Routing.
MPLS Advantages
Simplified Forwarding
Efficient Explicit Routing
Traffic Engineering
QoS Routing
Mappings from IP Packet to Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC)
Partitioning of Functionality
Common Operation over Packet and Cell media
MPLS - The Future
Who will use MPLS?
Large-scale data networks used by Enterprises, Carriers.
Why MPLS?
Provides Traffic Engineering - allows the user to direct traffic based on network utilization and demand.
Ease of provisioning QoS
Conclusion
MPLS will be an integral part of deploying the next generation network. It provides necessary bridges between IP and photonic dimensions MPLS protocol provides neighbor discovery and page link management. Link management protocol provides fault detection and restoration of the network. MPLS protocol provides high performance networks. MPLS mainly focus on control plane (the management of connection) rather than the data plane(actual data traffic).
