MPLS

Multiprotocol Label Switching brings reliability to the Internet by providing connection-oriented approach to IP switching with enhanced traffic engineering capabilities. MPLS provides a virtual path capability, called Label Switched Paths (LSPs), between packet switches to efficiently carry differentiated IP services across the Internet. The primary application for MPLS is traffic engineering. Traffic engineering enables carriers to put IP traffic where bandwidth is available by providing the control mechanisms necessary to explicitly route IP traffic through the network. Traffic engineering capabilities in turn enable carriers to remove the traditional Layer 2 traffic engineering equipment layer, thereby simplifying the administration and cost of the network. With MPLS traffic engineering in place, carriers can start to offer value-added services, like IP VPNs, alongside best effort IP services over the same network infrastructure.

Avici has a robust MPLS implementation in its IPriori OS, and has taken a leadership role in driving standards development. For example, Avici co-authored the IETF RFC for MPLS Fast Reroute Interoperability. MPLS Fast Reroute allows for the creation of backup LSPs, providing carriers with a cost-effective recovery mechanism and increased reliability.

Avici has also been active in demonstrating and driving MPLS interoperability through independent testing forums such as UNH, EANTC, Btexact and Isocore. At the MPLS World Congress in Paris in February, 2003, the Avici QSR™ and SSR™ routers provided the core foundation for the multi-vendor MPLS network. Avici joined 13 leading equipment vendors in a public MPLS interoperability test designed to demonstrate the capability of multi-vendor MPLS technology to meet the real world requirements of service providers.

Traffic Engineering Series
Part 1 - The Service-Centric Traffic-Engineered Converged Core
Part 2 - MPLS Traffic Engineering with Avici Converged Core Routers