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

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 mechanisms 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.

The student will develop an understanding of the MPLS technology, which is quickly becoming the core routing protocol within telecommunications networks.

General understanding of data networking concepts is recommended.

Anyone seeking a technical overview of 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

• 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 Operation
• MPLS Node Architecture
• MPLS Elements
• Loop Survival, Detection, and Prevention in 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

• 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

• 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

• 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