A Guide to MPLS

Technology Overview MPLS stands for "Multiprotocol Label Switching". In an MPLS network, incoming packets are assigned a "label" by a "label edge router (LER)". Labels are a simple indexing mechanism that replaces traditional IP packet forwarding, which is based on complicated address matching algorithms with fast, simple ATM-like switching. At each hop in the network, a router just examines a label to figure out the next forwarding hop for the packet. This eliminates resource intensive address lookups that reduce overall packet throughput and limit scalability. 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 that tells the next hop LSR how to forward the packet. Labels are distributed between LERs and LSRs using a label distribution protocol (LDP). Switch routers in an MPLS network regularly exchange label and reachability information with each other using standardized procedure in order to build a complete picture of the network they can then use to forward packets. 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 aspects, LSPs are no different than 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 transport protocols such as ATM, Frame Relay or Ethernet. Thus, one of the great values of MPLS is the ability to create end-to-end connections, with specific performance characteristics, across any type of transport medium, eliminating the need for overlay networks and multiple control mechanisms unique to each type of Layer 2 transport technology. The same control mechanisms that make MPLS so useful in the packet domain are also being extended to the optical domain with the development of GMPLS. These control properties enable optical cross connect nodes, such as Nortel Networks OPTera Connect HDX optical switch, to switch wavelengths by dynamically signaling and creating light paths on demand, reducing from months to seconds the amount of time required by network operators to provision optical capacity. This powerful capability will underpin a new generation of high performance services such as optical VPNs, storage area networks and bandwidth trading.

First and next-generation MPLS First-generation MPLS enhanced the performance and scalability of IP networks by replacing traditional IP packet forwarding that used complicated address matching algorithms with fast, simple ATM-like switching based upon labels. First-generation MPLS solutions provide basic traffic engineering and virtual private network (VPN) connectivity services. However, first-generation MPLS solutions fail to fully utilize the potential of MPLS by not leveraging new developments in optical and wireless technology. Next-generation MPLS solutions are optimized for fast, profitable service creation and service delivery across data, optical, wireless and voice networks using a flexible networking architecture. They make new services possible and deliverable by these networks. Next-generation MPLS delivers profitability, minimizing future capital investment and reducing network operations expenses. Nortel Networks forges ahead with next-generation MPLS solutions Nortel Networks is unique, offering an end-to-end portfolio that is MPLS enabled. Nortel Networks offerings provide solutions that will drive profitability into service provider networks. These solutions cover the five major MPLS networking product segments: Optical Switch, Optical Ethernet, Multiservice Switch, IP Service Switch and MPLS Router. Nortel Networks next-generation MPLS: - Adds value to existing MPLS networks by enhancing their data services content - Extends and expands returns on network infrastructure by providing seamless evolution - Fosters introduction of revolutionary, differentiated services, such as optical VPNs, Optical Ethernet, optical storage networking and bandwidth-on-demand - Shrinks optical service provisioning time from months to minutes - Reduces operations expense by simplifying both the network through integration of multiple layers and network operations by integrating multiple networks - Protects margins through delivery of premium services, reliably and SLA penaltyfree Key things Nortel Networks does with MPLS Nortel Networks is pioneering MPLS contribution to optical networks by applying MPLS concepts to enhance the intelligence of optical networks. Renowned for its standards contributions in generalized MPLS (GMPLS) and the Automatically Switched Transport Network (ASTN), the emerging architectural standard for intelligent optical networks. Nortel Networks has parlayed its work into a number of optical solutions that provide the foundation for new optical services and alter optical network topology and provisioning paradigms. Nortel Networks MPLS bridges current multiservice networks to next-generation network cores. Through MPLS incorporation, service providers can cost effectively evolve their Layer 2 networks and market a new generation of carrier-grade, real-time

services. Nortel Networks leverages its full-service VPN solutions to enhance the capability and service functionality of MPLS networks. Nortel Networks answers the challenge of migrating wireless networks to all-IP with its practical plan to evolve ATM-based networks to IP/MPLS to an all-optical core. It introduces a 3G core data network that is standards-based and MPLS-capable, in its initial 3G rollout. Nortel Networks 3G UMTS solution delivers robust QoS and advanced traffic engineering essential for wireless real-time services. Nortel Networks plan takes economics to heart, averting high capital cost and service disruption resulting from wholesale platform substitution. Nortel Networks Solutions Unveiled Nortel Networks preserves the utility of existing service provider infrastructure, by offering MPLS gateway functionality on our Passport 7000 & 15000 Multiservice Switches. Passport bridges traditional data networks to the MPLS network core. This linkage protects high-margin data service revenue streams, preserves current network equipment and extends infrastructure investment returns. Carriers can offer their customers massive optical capacity on demand, with fully customized service options with two Nortel Networks MPLS innovative solutions, the OPTera Connect portfolio of optical switches and Nortel Networks Smart Optical Network Solution. Delay sensitive and high-priority guaranteed services, i.e., real-time services such as voice or mission critical data services, can be delivered over MPLS controlled IP networks with carrier-grade reliability today with Nortel Networks QoS-rich MPLS enabled Passport 7000 & 15000 Multiservice Switches. The industry-leading Nortel Networks Shasta 5000 Broadband Service Node (BSN), a subscriber-edge IP Services switch will optimize the delivery of personalized valueadded services like VPN, security (stateful firewall, anti-spoofing) and QoS to MPLS networks. Routing switches within core IP networks can be made scaleable from gigabits to multiterabits using Nortel Networks state-of-the-art OPTera Packet Core . It aggregates flows and switches at wire-speed under strict QoS control. Attracting and retaining business customers becomes less daunting with a scalable, standards-based virtual private Ethernet, Nortel Networks Optical Ethernet Solution. Optical An Optical Ethernet solution is a simpler more flexible approach for providing value-added service to end-users.
* Nortel Networks, OPTera, Passport, Shasta and Shasta 5000 are trademarks of Nortel Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their owners. Copyright (C) 2001 Nortel Networks Corporation. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Nortel Networks Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.