This course provides a strong foundation in MPLS and IP Traffic Engineering for IP network professionals and network managers.

After Completing this course, the student will be able to:

• Implement advanced designs and configurations in MPLS Networks
• Design and configure and implement VPN networks
• Design and deploy Traffic Engineering in MPLS networks
• Describe the underlying concepts of MPLS
• Describe the concept of MPLS labels, label stack and different label formats
• Describe IP Traffic Engineering using MPLS
• Describe the label distribution process between LSRs
• Explore the future trends of MPLS

The course is of utmost importance for all engineers responsible for deploying advanced MPLS services in Service Provider backbones. It is a recommended training for individuals seeking advanced MPLS based knowledge and skills. The course will enable learners to gather information from the technology basics to some of the more updated features and functions such as Traffic Engineering. The focus of the course is on technology issues of MPLS from the Service Providers perspective and how to configure some of those features and functions in an existing routed environment.

This course provides an in- depth study of the MPLS technology, including the theory and configuration, network design issues, operations, VPN, traffic engineering, and GMPLS. The course starts with an overview of conventional routing and how it compares to MPLS routing. Participants will then learn about the underlying concepts, features, functions, benefits, and applications of MPLS. They will also study the frame-mode and cell-mode MPLS, the concept of MPLS labels, label stack and different label formats, the label distribution process between LSRs, the loop detection and prevention mechanisms in MPLS, MPLS architecture, MPLS VPN, MPLS QoS, and MPLS traffic engineering. The course concludes with an exploration of the future trends related to the MPLS technology.

The Participant will:

• Understand MPLS theory, design and cofiguration
• Implement and support MPLS VPNs, Traffic Engineering
• Identify the Interactions between MPLS and IP Routing
• Understand the design, configuration and troubleshooting of OSPF, BGP.

Basic knowledge of IP Networks is required.

Network Architects, Service Providers, Engineers and Network Managers who need a good grasp of the technologies involved in modern IP networks and network services.

1. Introduction to MPLS and Motivation


2. Review of Classical IP Network
• Internet Protocol Architecture
• Review of Forwarding, Routing and Sing
• Routing Protocols
• IGP and EGP
• Birth of MPLS


3. Origin and Evolution on MPLS
• Review of ATM
• Layer 3 Switching Motivation
• Early MPLS
• Evolution of MPLS Technology


4. MPLS Level Switching Architecture
• Label Switching Model
• Label, Label Switched Router (LSR)
• Basic Concepts in Label Switching
• Label Switched Paths (LSP)
• Layer 2.5 / Shim Header
• Label Stack, Special Labels
• L2 mapping, L2 mux/demux support

1. MPLS Level Switching Architecture (Cont.)
• LER and Edge Functions
• Use of Label Stack, PHP
• LSP Setup
• Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC)
• Label Binding, Uniqueness, Aggregation
• Path Computation and Path Setup
• Label Distribution Protocol (LDP)
• LDP Messages, Control Modes
• Label Distribution using BGP
• LSP Setup Scenarios
• TTL Processing
• MPLS Packet Processing


2. Generalization of GMPLS
• Optical Fibre, Lambda, TSC domains
• Extending MPLS to GMPLS

1. MPLS VPNs
• Intro, types of VPN
• Using MPLS for VPN
• L3 and L3 VPNs
• BGP/MPLS VPN, VRF
• Address conversion, Label Stack
• L2 VPNs, Pseudo-Wire


2. MPLS DiffServ (Differentiated Services)
• DiffServ intro
• DSCP
• Queuing, Policing, Marking, Shaping etc
• Traffic Classes
• PHB
• DiffServ over MPLS
• E and L LSPs
• DiffServ Scalability


3. Introduction to Traffic Engineering
• TE Motivation
• Congestion in Shortest Path
• TE Process Flow

1. Traffic Engineering - Legacy approaches


2. Traffic Engineering using CBR, CSPF


3. MPLS Traffic Engineering Aproach
• Traffic Trunks, Assigning traffic
• Path Selection
• Priority, Pre-emption etc
• MPLS TE Model
• Block Diagram
• OSPF Extensions
• Path Selection & Setup


4. RSVP and CR - LDP

1. Path Protection and Recovery
• Tunnel Re-Route / First Re-Route
• Redundancy Design


2. Traffic Engineering Case Study


3. Application Topics


4. Recent Development