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MPLS-TP
The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks
Service providers are experiencing compounding challenges from an exponential increase in demand for communications and information exchange along with the rising expectations of content providers and end users for the highest quality of service/experience. As IP-based traffic increases, service providers must consider a new packet transport technology that is capable of converging networks and enabling more efficient operation, administration and management (OAM) in line with the well-known operational model that carriers and service providers expect from their transport network, such as high scalability and resilience, multiservice capabilities and deterministic performance for ensuring strong Service Level Agreement (SLA) assurance for any type of transported service. The Multiprotocol Label Switching Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) is a packet transport technology that allows service providers to leverage benefits from the existing network infrastructure, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of networks for packet transport, while leveraging or maintaining the familiar OAM benefits of traditional SONET/SDH and OTN networks.
Table of contents
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 8 8 1. Why MPLS-TP? 2. What is MPLS-TP? 3. Additional functionalities of MPLS-TP 4. MPLS-TP OAM 5. MPLS-TP control plane and management 6. MPLS-TP resilience 7. MPLS-TP and IP/MPLS 8. MPLS-TP applications 9. MPLS-TP standards 10. Summary 11. Acronyms
1. Why MPLS-TP?
The exponential growth of IP-based services for data and video is driving the need to evolve transport networks to efficiently support packet-based transport services. While the new transport technology should be optimized for packet-based services, it should also feature the same mode of operation, as well as the same operation benefits in terms of transport grade and deterministic performance as existing transport networks. MPLS-TP allows networks to better address packet transport needs, and provides the ability to converge and transport Ethernet, IP and multiservices with the flexibility and packet bandwidth efficiency of MPLS and the reliability and manageability of traditional SONET/SDH. Figure 1 illustrates the technology evolution of the MPLS-TP.
Figure 1. How we have arrived at MPLS-TP
Routing
IP/MPLS
Pac
ket
ef
cien
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Transport
n Tra
spo
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de gra
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MPLS-TP
OTN
MPLS-TP bridges the gap between the transport and service routing world, thus allowing true convergence
2. What is MPLS-TP?
MPLS-TP is a transport layer technology that provides highly reliable and manageable functionalities with connection-oriented capabilities a key feature for deterministic control of traffic performance required for packet transport networks. MPLS-TP is based on the widely adopted IP/MPLS protocols, with all of the major constructs (PWs, LSPs, and label processing) fully supported. On one hand, MPLS-TP uses a subset of IP/MPLS standards where features that are not required in transport networks such as IP forwarding, penultimate hop popping (PHP), or equal cost multiple path (ECMP) are not supported or made optional. On the other hand, MPLS-TP defines extensions to existing IP/MPLS standards and introduces established requirements from transport networks. Among the key new features are: comprehensive OAM capable of fast detection, localization, troubleshooting and SLA verification including end-to-end network performance monitoring (traffic loss/delay measurements); transportgrade sub-50 ms recovery for both linear and ring applications; separation of control and data plane; and fully automated operation without control plane using Network Management System (NMS), as is a norm in transport networks. By providing an expansive set of OAM and recovery tools, coupled with various counters and the NMS-based operation, MPLS-TP enables more deterministic network operation, thus allowing for any SLA violation to be quickly detected and corrected, and giving the network operators full control of their networks.
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
Among the optional features, IP forwarding and control plane stand out. It is crucial that MPLSTP allows for operation in the networks without requiring the nodes to implement IP forwarding, this being a strong requirement from transport networks where IP forwarding is not widely deployed. This has implications on the OAM operation, which has to be able to operate in IP and IP-less modes. Similarly, a strong requirement from the transport networks is the operation through a centralized engine (NMS) and without a control plane. In MPLS-TP, the control plane is optional and the protocols such as OAM and protection are structured such as to be able to operate fully without a control plane. Figure 2 illustrates the set of overall functionalities of the MPLS-TP.
MPLS
MPLS-TP Subset to meet transport network operational requirements MPLS/PWE3 architecture MPLS forwarding GMPLS/PWE3 control
Additional functionalities
Transport-like OAM In-band OAM channels Performance monitoring for SLA verication Tandem connections and multi-level operation Wire-speed operation Alarms and AIS
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
4. MPLS-TP OAM
MPLS-TP provides a comprehensive set of pro-active & on-demand tools, applicable to any MPLS-TP layer (PW, LSP/tunnel, section) and domain (tandem and end-to-end [e2e]). The OAM tools provide the following benefits: allows for fast failure detection provides mechanisms for failure localization allows for SLA verification through performance monitoring assists network operation with issuing and suppressing various alarms assists other mechanisms such as protection switching MPLS-TP introduces Management End Point (MEP) and Management Intermediate Point (MIP), which allow for continuity checks and connectivity verification messages to be propagated between the two endpoints. This represents a powerful tool that allows for fast detection of lost connectivity, as well as support for connection mis-configuration. The Continuity Check (CC)/Continuity Verification (CV) messages can be exchanged with a period that can be set from 3.3 ms to 10 min, thus allowing for very fast-failure detection. MPLS-TP OAM supports monitoring of the SLAs using continuity check and connectivity verification; in addition, it provides mechanisms for performance monitoring, including delay and loss measurements to detect performance degradations. MPLS-TP OAM supports the control of the alarm escalation process using alarm suppression, thereby enabling faults to be quickly detected and isolated, while avoiding unnecessary alarm storms in the network. In order to ensure proper operational control, MPLS-TP network elements exchange OAM packets that strictly follow the same path as traffic data (OAM in the data plane), with a common set of tools running at each network level (PW, LSP, and section). OAM packets are carried using the Generic Associated Channel (G-ACh). Tandem Connection Monitoring (TCM) allows monitoring of a subset or a segment of LSP and allows monitoring in terms of connectivity, fault, quality and alarms. This, in effect, introduces multilevel OAM in MPLS, similar to existing practices in transport networks, and is a valuable tool allowing customization of the management operation and thus more control to the operators. It is also an invaluable tool in multi-domain/multi-vendor environments such as carriers carrier scenarios. In MPLS-TP, TCM can be implemented with Path Segment Tunnels (PST), enabling a subset of the segments of Label Switched Path (LSP) or Multi-Segment - Pseudo Wires (MS-PW) to be monitored independently of any end-to-end OAM.
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
6. MPLS-TP resilience
Connected to the need to support operation through both the control plane and network management plane, MPLS-TP also supports resilience in the data and control plane. A major requirement from transport networks is to support sub-50 ms fully automated protection switching without any control plane. MPLS-TP can provide sub-50 ms protection switching in the data plane by relying on fast OAM messages and the Protection State Coordination (PSC) mechanism to synchronize the both ends in case of failure. The OAM message can be exchanged at rates up to 3.3 ms intervals to achieve protection switching in sub-50 ms time. In recent interoperability measurements at EANTC, it was demonstrated that MPLS-TP is a truly scalable protocol that can protect a large number of LSPs in sub-50 ms time. The fast, accurate and coordinated protection switching time is achieved through simple and rapid protection switching mechanisms for LSP and PW. This is also known as linear protection switching, and it uses a PSC protocol very similar to ITU-T G.8131- defined for linear protection. When deployed in ring topologies, a ring protection mechanism similar to the ITU-T G.8132-defined standard can be used. MPLS-TP supports various modes of protection (i.e., 1+1, 1:1, N:1) and also provides protection on every layer (i.e., PW, LSP and section). All these protection switching mechanisms are very similar to the current mechanisms being used by SONET/SDH and OTN networks, to ensure network reliability, SLA assurance and ultimately end-user quality of experience (QoE). MPLS-TP uses existing GMPLS and PW control plane-based restoration mechanisms applicable to bi-directional paths. Traditional PW redundancy can be used for PE/AC failure protection. In addition, 1+1 and 1:1 LSP protection are supported, as is full LSP Reroute mechanism (as is common in MPLS networks). Figure 4 illustrates the various protection features that enhance the resilience of the MPLS-TP.
Multiservice Access
Edge/Core
IP/MPLS
OTN
Wire-speed OAM
Section Tunnel pw
NMS or ASON/GMPLS
LSP/PW protection
Ring protection
Section protection
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
MS-PW (static/T-LDP)
MS-PW (static/T-LDP)
MPLS-TP
PWE3 e2e MPLS-TP OAM LSP [Static/GMPLS-RSVP-TE] LSP MPLS-TP OAM LSP [Static] Section OAM LSP [RSVP-TE/LDP] LSP MPLS-TP OAM/BFD/RSVP/IGP
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
8. MPLS-TP applications
The goal of converged networks is to break away from a model in which an operator must manage a variety of single-purpose transport networks. Convergence of SONET/SDH and packet networks started over a decade ago and has brought huge advances to the worlds networks. Now that packet services dominate, MPLS-TP continues the drive to reduce CAPEX and OPEX by providing converged solutions for packet transport applications. MPLS-TP is capable of carrying all types of Ethernet services defined by MEF and it also supports any (non-Ethernet) type of service, e.g., ATM. As a consequence, the current applications for MPLS-TP include mobile backhaul, business network services, carrier Ethernet services, and wholesale services, among others.
9. MPLS-TP standards
The International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications Standardization Sector (ITU-T) and the Internet Engineer Task Force (IETF) formed a Joint Working Team (JWT) to achieve consensus about the requirements and framework for elements of the MPLS-TP standard such as architecture, data plane, survivability, OAM, management plane and control plane. All the requirements for packet transport as defined in the existing ITU-T T-MPLS G.81xx standard specifications were recommended to the JWT as basis for the development of a common set of recommendations for MPLS-TP in the IETF. Most of the requirements and frameworks documents for MPLS-TP, identified by the JWT, have been already published or are soon to be published. As soon as IETF MPLS-TP standardization process is completed, the ITU-T will update the existing T-MPLS G.81xx standard specifications and the name will be changed to MPLS-TP to reflect full consistency. Figure 6 illustrates the evolution of the MPLS-TP standard and the interaction between the ITU-T and IETF. Interoperability tests among vendors of T-MPLS and MPLS-TP technologies have been demonstrated, such as in the case of the recent MPLS & Ethernet World Congress in Paris during February 2010. The European Advanced Networking Test Center (EANTC) showcased MPLS-TP pre-standard interoperability tests among three equipment vendors, including the Alcatel-Lucent 1850 Transport Service Switch (TSS). Other similar testing had taken place by EANTC during similar shows like the Carrier Ethernet World Congress 2009.
T-MPLS
MPLS-TP
ITU-T
Draft Recs
ITU-T G.81xx
IETF
IETF RFCs
IETF Drafts
IETF RFCs
MPLS
MPLS-TP
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
10. Summary
MPLS-TP is a technology optimized for packet transport but not limited to them; it provides an evolution path from SONET/SDH-based networks to packet networks. It enables convergence between the transport and service routers, thus providing the flexibility and scalability required by Ethernet and IP services, while preserving the manageability, resilience, deterministic performance and the traditional OAM features of transport networks. Alcatel-Lucent is the leader and driver of T-MPLS and MPLS-TP standards, both of which are key transport evolution technologies, which are part of the key considerations of Alcatel-Lucent vision for High Leverage Networks architecture.
11. Acronyms
ASON ATM CAPEX CES CC CV CO-CS CO-PS EANTC e2e GMPLS GigE G-Ach JWT IETF IP/MPLS ITU-T LAN LCAS LDP LSP MEF MPLS MS-PW MRN NMS Automatic Switched Optical Network Asynchronous Transfer Mode Capital Expenses Circuit Emulation Service Continuity Check Continuity Verication Connection-oriented circuit-switched Connection-oriented packet switched European Advanced Networking Test Center End-to-end Generalized MPLS Gigabit Ethernet Generic Associated Channel Joint Working Team Internet Engineering Task Force Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector Local Area Network Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme Label Distribution Protocol Label Switched Path Metro Ethernet Forum Multiprotocol Label Switching Multi-Segment Pseudo Wires Multi Region Networks Network Management System OAM OPEX OTN PSC PST PW PWE3 QoS ROI RSVP-TE SLA S-PE TCM T-LDP T-MPLS TSS SCC SDH SONET WDM Operations, Administration and Maintenance Operating expenditures Optical Transport Network Protection State Coordination Path Segment Tunnel Pseudo Wires Pseudo Wires emulation edge-to-edge Quality of Service Return on Investment Reservation Protocol Trafc Engineering Service Level Agreement PW Switching provider Edge Tandem Connection Monitoring Targeted Label Distribution Protocol Transport MPLS Transport Service Switch Signaling Communication Channel Synchronous Digital Hierarchy Synchronous Optical Network Wavelength Division Multiplexing
MPLS-TP The Key Enabler of Converged Packet Transport Networks | Technology White Paper
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