MPLS and Next-Generation Networks: Foundations for NGN and Enterprise Virtualization

Understand the business case for deploying MPLS-based services and solutions

• Provides network managers and architects a precise MPLS primer
• Defines MPLS service problems and their associated solutions
• Includes ROI models for MPLS-based solutions
• Discusses pros and cons of various options for each MPLS service

Network managers often question the value that MPLS brings to their business environment. This book provides them with a precise guide for evaluating the benefits of MPLS-based applications and solutions. The book guides the network manager through the business case for MPLS by exploring other technology alternatives, including their applications, benefits, and deficiencies. Understanding the service creation process as the basis for MPLS-based solutions is pivotal when describing the benefits that MPLS offers. Furthermore, the book explores MPLS technology and its components, providing an overview of the architecture necessary to reap the true advantages that MPLS brings to a service provider or enterprise network. These advantages include new revenue opportunities and a total cost of ownership reduction that positively impacts a company's bottom-line. ROI models and case study examples further confirm the business impact and help decision-makers create a blueprint for MPLS service creation. Specific aspects such as security, network management, advanced services and the future of the technology complete the book, helping decision makers assess MPLS as a candidate for implementation. In short, you can use this comprehensive guide to understand and build a business case for the inclusion of MPLS in your network.

 

 

Table of Contents       

Contents

Introduction

Part I            The Business Case for MPLS                                        

Chapter 1        Dynamics of Service Creation and Deployment

Industry Dynamics and Challenges

What About the Enterprise Market?

Service Provider Business Engineering

Business Drivers and Requirements

Enterprise Customers

Enterprise Motivations for Migrating to Layer 3 Services

Service Providers and Enterprise: The Battle of Outsourcing Versus Do-It-Yourself

Do-It-Yourself

Enterprise Segmentation

Central Services with an Enterprise Campus

Subscribing to a Managed Layer 3 MPLS VPN Service

The Case for Building VPNs—Layer 2 or Layer 3

Existing Technologies—Frame Relay, ATM, and IP-Based Networks: What Can They Solve?

Frame Relay

Asynchronous Transfer Mode

The Internet Protocol

Service Examples

Summary

 

Chapter 2            The Scope of Service Types

Overview of Layer 2 Services

Ethernet Services

Next-Generation Network Overview and Interworking Functions

Layer 3 Services

Remote Access

Value-Added Services

Summary

 

Part 2                The Technical Case for MPLS

Chapter 3              Technology Overview: Making the Technology case for MPLS and Technology Details

Available Technologies and Options

Why MPLS? (High-Level Detail)

MPLS and Quality of Service

Differentiating Service with Traffic Engineering

Multicast

Benefits

MPLS Technology Details

Layer 3 VPNs

Peer-to-Peer Model

VRF and Its Function

MPLS Label Stack Role

Topologies

Carrier Supporting Carrier and Inter-Provider Autonomous Systems

Traffic Engineering

DiffServ

Layer 2 VPNs

Summary

 

Part 3                MPLS Services and Components

Chapter 4        Layer 2 VPNs

Taxonomy

Introducing AToM

Pseudowire Systems Architecture

Packet Forwarding

Layer 2 Transport Types (Like-to-Like)

Ethernet Service

Link Layer Service

Frame Relay Service

ATM Service117

Configuration of Pseudowires

Layer 2 Interworking

Interworking Modes

Interworking Models and Applications

Virtual Private LAN Service

Considerations for VPLS

Provisioning and Signaling

LDP Signaling

BGP Signaling

Benefits of L2VPNs

Inter-AS L2VPNs

Supported IETF Standards

Summary

Standards and References

 

Part 4              Layer 3 VPNs1

Chapter 5       Technology Overview

Separation of Routing Information Between VPNs

Constrained Distribution of Routing Information

Forwarding Packets Through the Network Core

Packet Flow Through the Network

Corporate Intranet

Corporate Extranet

Internet Access

Dedicated per-VPN Internet Access

Shared PE—Internet and VPN

Dedicated PE—Shared Backbone

Managed Central Service—Shared Internet Access

Scaling MPLS VPNs to Multi-AS, Multi-Provider, and Hierarchical Networks

Inter-AS VPNs

Carrier Supporting Carrier

Heterogeneous Networks

Managed Central Services

Making Applications and Services VRF-Aware

VRF-Aware Address Management

Supported IETF Drafts

Summary

Standards and References:

 

Chapter 6                   Remote Access and IPSec Integration with MPLS VPNs

Technology Overview

Dial Access

Individual Access

CE Dial Backup Access

Dial-Out Access

DSL Access

Routed Encapsulation

Bridged Encapsulation

Cable Access

PE-CE Routing Protocols

Scalability and Network Convergence for Remote Access

Summary

 

Chapter 7             MPLS Security

Security and NGN

Security Overview and MPLS

MPLS VPN and Security

Attack Scenarios

Internet/Extranet and MPLS Security

IPSec

MPLS VPN (BGP VPN) Security Issues and Options

Layer 2 and Unmanaged VPN Service Considerations

Design Option Examples

Carrier’s Carrier Network and Inter-Autonomous Considerations

Customer Edge Router Security Considerations

Overall Best Practice Recommendations

Summary

Standards and References

 

Chapter 8             Traffic Engineering

Problem Statement

Technology Overview

IGP Extensions and Distribution of Constraints

Signaling of TE Tunnels

Forwarding Packets Through the Network Core

Sequence of Operation

TE Tunnel Maintenance

TE Applications and Examples

Intra-Area TE

Inter-Autonomous System TE

Quality of Service and TE

Traffic Handling of Delay-Sensitive Traffic

Protection and Restoration

Link Protection

Node Protection

Path Protection

Usage Scenarios

Scalability of Protection Mechanisms

Scaling MPLS TE

MPLS Traffic Engineering and Multicast

Standards and References

Summary

 

Chapter 9             Quality of Service

Problem Statement

IP QoS

QoS Building Blocks

IntServ

DiffServ

Packet Handling

The Hybrid Model

MPLS QoS

MPLS DiffServ

Traffic Engineering and DiffServ

DiffServ-Aware Traffic Engineering

MPLS QoS Service Examples

Point-to-Cloud Model

Olympic Service Model

Traffic-Engineered Voice Model

Virtual Leased Line

On-Demand QoS

MPLS and IntServ

Traffic Flows to MPLS DiffServ Mapping

Tunnel-Based Admission Control

Standards and References

Summary

 

Chapter 10             Mutlicasts and NGNs

Problem Statement

MPLS Multicast VPN Overview

Multicast VPN Operational Details

MPLS Multicast VPN Applications and Examples

Multicast Security and Management Considerations

Standards and References

Summary

 

Chapter 11             IPv6 and MPLS

Problem Statement

Technology Overview

IPv6 PE

Multiprotocol BGP Extensions

Packet Path

IPv6 VPNs (6VPE)

Route Tagging

Virtual Routing and Forwading with IPv6

Packet Path

The Coexistence of IPv4 L3VPN and IPv6 L3VPN

IPv6 Network Core

Inter-AS Networks for 6PE and v6VPNs

IPv6 QoS

MPLS QoS for IPv6

Management and IPv6

Summary

 

Part 4             Bringing Your MPLS Plan Together

Chapter 12     Network Management and Provisioning

Problem Statement

Fault Management, Configuration Management, Accounting Management, Performance Management, and Security Management

MPLS OAM

VRF-Aware ICMP Ping and LSP Ping/Trace Mechanisms

Dealing with Equal Cost Multipaths

Noncompliant Routers

LSR Self-Test

Virtual Circuit Connection Verification and Bidirectional Forwarding Detection

A Word About Interworking OAM

Any to Any

Local Switching

Encapsulation Types and Modes

ATM over MPLS

ATM N:1 Mode

ATM 1:1 Mode

AAL5 SDU Mode

AAL5 PDU Mode

Frame Relay over MPLS

Generic Failure Types

Interface Failure

Pseudowire Failures

Tunnel LSP Failures

Configuration Management for MPLS-Based Networks

Accounting for MPLS-Based Networks

Performance Management for MPLS-Based Networks

Security Management for MPLS-Based Networks

Per-VPN Management

IP Addressing

VRF-Aware Network Address Translation

Supported MIBs

Standards and References

Summary

 

Chapter 13             Design Considerations: Putting it All Together

VRF-Aware Feature

IP Addressing: VRF-Aware DHCP

DHCP Deployment Examples

Deployment Guideline Summary

VRF-Aware Network Address Translation

NAT-PE System Flow

Inside-to-Outside Packet Flow

Outside-to-Inside Packet Flow

Deployment Guideline Summary

Management, Provisioning, and Troubleshooting

Equipment Scalability Versus Network Scalability

Network Element Characteristics

Network Parameters

Network-Wide Scale

Management and Scalability

Layer 2 VPNs—What to Expect

Same Grade of Service

Planning and Sizing

Density

Management

Summary

 

Chapter 14             MPLS Case Studies

The Background on Equant

Equant Business Drivers

Equant Services

VPN Bridge Case Study

Background

Customer Issues/Objectives

The Account Team’s Keys to Success

Case Study Conclusion

Summary

 

Chapter 15             The Future of MPLS

Integrating IP and Optical Networks (Transport Area)

How Does it Work?

Bandwidth On-Demand Service

Challenges Faced with G-MPLS and UCP

Future Layer 3 Services

Label-Switched Multicast

Dynamic Encrypted VPNs

Content-Based Services

Adaptive Networks for Integration of Voice and Video

Security Enhancements

Future Layer 2 Services

ATM-MPLS Interworking

Layer 2 VPNs Across Multiple Provider Networks

VPLS Service Across a Non-Ethernet Last Mile

Future Enhancements in Provisioning and Management

Adaptive Self-Healing Networks

Increasing Enterprise Deployment of MPLS

Summary

 

So, What Is the Future of MPLS?

A View from George Swallow

A View from Adrian Farrell

Index