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DES-7200 Configuration Guide Chapter 1 MPLS Configuration
1-1
1 MPLS Configuration
Note
The router icon in this chapter refers to the routers and the layer-3 switches
with the routing protocol enabled.
1.1 Introduction to MPLS
In the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), the multiprotocol refers to various network layer
protocols supported by an MPLS network, such as IP, IPv6, and IPX, and label switching
indicates the addition of labels to packets and the forwarding of packets based on the labels.
The MPLS is compatible with multiple link layer technologies including ATM, frame relay,
Ethernet, and PPP. The MPLS works at both the connectionless control plane and the
connection-oriented data plane and provides connection-oriented attributes to
connectionless IP networks. The MPLS technology was first introduced to enhance the
forwarding rate of routing devices. With the development of hardware technologies and
network processors, this competitive edge has gradually lost its appeal. Due to the innate
advantage of combining Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing technologies, however, the
MPLS still has unprecedented edges over other technologies in terms of virtual private
networks (VPNs) and traffic engineering (TE). The MPLS VPN is increasingly favored by
carriers to address interconnection problems between companies and to provide various new
services. It has already become an important means to provide value-added services on IP
networks. At the same time, the MPLS TE technology also turns into a major method to
reduce congestion and guarantee QoS on IP networks by managing network traffic.
Therefore, the MPLS technology receives more and more attention and the MPLS
applications gradually shift to MPLS VPN and TE applications.
Basic Concepts
Label
LDP
MPLS Network
MPLS Forwarding Actions
LSP Setup and Loop Detection
MPLS Applications