After successfully completing this course, attendees will:
List the features, functions and benefits of MPLS
Identify suitable applications for MPLS
Describe the underlying concepts of MPLS
Describe the concept of MPLS labels, label stack and
different label formats
Describe the label distribution process between LSRs
Describe IP Traffic Engineering using MPLS
Explore the future trends of MPLS
Course Overview
MPLS stands for "Multiprotocol Label Switching". In an MPLS
network, incoming packets are assigned a "label" by a "label
edge router (LER)". Packets are forwarded along a "label
switch path (LSP)" where each "label switch router (LSR)"
makes forwarding decisions based solely on the contents of
the label. At each hop, the LSR strips off the existing
label and applies a new label, which tells the next hop how
to forward the packet.
Label Switch Paths (LSPs) are established by network
operators for a variety of purposes, such as to guarantee a
certain level of performance, to route around network
congestion, or to create IP tunnels for network-based
virtual private networks. In many ways, LSPs are no
different than circuit-switched paths in ATM or Frame Relay
networks, except that they are not dependent on a particular
Layer 2 technology.
An LSP can be established that crosses multiple Layer 2
transports such as ATM, Frame Relay or Ethernet. Thus, one
of the true promises of MPLS is the ability to create
end-to-end circuits, with specific performance
characteristics, across any type of transport medium,
eliminating the need for overlay networks or Layer 2 only
control mechanismsLabel Switch Paths (LSPs) are established
by network operators for a variety of purposes, such as to
guarantee a certain level of performance, to route around
network congestion, or to create IP tunnels for
network-based virtual private networks. In many ways, LSPs
are no different than circuit
Key Benefits
The student will develop an understanding of the MPLS
technology, which is quickly becoming the core routing
protocol within telecommunications networks.
Pre-Requisites for Participants
General understanding of data networking concepts is recommended
Who Should Attend?
Anyone seeking a technical overview of MPLS.
Course Outline
What is MPLS?
- Challenges for new IP centric networks
- Limitations of traditional IP networking
- Achieving QoS
- Understanding the fundamentals
- Proprietary approaches to MPLS
- Basic MPLS operation
- MPLS Terminology
- Forwarding Equivalence Class
- Label encoding, distribution and binding
- Traffic Engineering: The need for Constrained and Explicit Routes
- Label Distribution and signaling
- Routing of LSPs
Label distribution methods
- RSVP as a label distribution protocol
- MPLS extensions to RSVP
- Label distribution and binding with RSVP
- The Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) and CR-LDP
- LDP operation
- Label Retention modes
- Comparison of RSVP and LDP
MPLS Architecture
- MPLS Operation
- MPLS Node Architecture
- MPLS Elements
- Loop Survival, Detection, and Prevention in MPLS
A comparison of Frame Relay, ATM and MPLS
- Integration of IP and ATM
- Challenges Faced by Service Providers
- Frame Relay and MPLS
- Label Ranges and processing
- Label Distribution
- Hybrid Switches
- Multipoint and VC merging
- ATM and MPLS
- Mapping to ATM QoS
MPLS Traffic Engineering (MPLS-TE)
- Overview of Traffic Engineering
- MPLS Traffic Engineering Elements
- MPLS Traffic Engineering Configuration
- LSP Path determination
- Explicit routes and constraint based routing
- Fast Re-routing: Taking account of Network Failures
- MPLS deployment "Edge or Core"
- ATM and Traffic Engineering
- Unequal-Cost Load Balancing via Metric Manipulation
- Advantages of MPLS Traffic Engineering
Advanced MPLS topics
- MPLS Design and Implementation
- ATM-based MPLS VPNs using WAN-switched ATM LSRs
- Implement MPLS traffic engineering
- Real-world MPLS VPNs, TE, and QoS
- Case studies and configuration examples
- Network management issues
- Multiprotocol Lambda Switching
- MPLS VPN
- Voice over MPLS
- MPLS management
Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS)
- What is GMPLS?
- Generalized MPLS
- Extension of the MPLS Control Plane components of GMPLS
- GMPLS Key Extensions to MPLS-TE
- Routing and addressing model
- Addressing of PSC and non-PSC layers
- GMPLS salability enhancements
- TE Extensions to IP routing protocols
- Network Management
- Security considerations
