Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching

The Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS)[1] is a protocol suite extending MPLS to manage further classes of interfaces and switching technologies other than packet interfaces and switching, such as time division multiplex, layer-2 switch, wavelength switch and fiber-switch.

Contents

Differences between MPLS and GMPLS

Generalized MPLS differs from traditional MPLS[2] in that it supports multiple types of switching, i.e., the addition of support for TDM, wavelength, and fiber (port) switching. The support for the additional types of switching has driven GMPLS to extend certain base functions of traditional MPLS and, in some cases, to add functionality.

These changes and additions impact basic LSP properties: how labels are requested and communicated, the unidirectional nature of LSPs, how errors are propagated, and information provided for synchronizing the ingress and egress LSRs.

How GMPLS works

GMPLS is based on Generalized Labels. The Generalized Label is a label that can represent either (a) a single fiber in a bundle, (b) a single waveband within fiber, (c) a single wavelength within a waveband (or fiber), or (d) a set of time-slots within a wavelength (or fiber). The Generalized Label can also carry a label that represents a generic MPLS label, a Frame Relay label, or an ATM label.

GMPLS is composed of three main protocols:

References

  1. ^ E. Mannie, "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) architecture", RFC 3945, Oct. 2004, IETF.
  2. ^ GMPLS RFC 3945 "1.2. Multiple Types of Switching and Forwarding Hierarchies"
  3. ^ D. Awduche, L. Berger, D. Gan, T. Li, V. Srinivasan, and G. Swallow, "RSVP-TE: Extensions to RSVP for LSP tunnels", RFC 3209, Dic. 2001, IETF.
  4. ^ L. Berger, "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Signaling Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) Extensions", RFC 3473, Jan. 2003, IETF.
  5. ^ D. Katz, K. Kompella, and D. Yeung, "Traffic Engineering (TE) Extensions to OSPF Version 2 Architecture", RFC 3630, Sep. 2003, IETF.
  6. ^ K. Kompella and Y. Rekhter, "OSPF Extensions in Support of Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS)", RFC 4203, Oct. 2005, IETF.
  7. ^ J. Lang, "Link Management Protocol (LMP)", RFC 4204, Oct. 2005, IETF.

Further reading

External links