MPLS Fundamentals

mpls-header

In this lesson, we will focus MPLS in Networking and we will learn the answer of what is MPLS? So, What is MPLS? MPLS is a Packet-Forwarding technology which uses MPLS Labels for data forwarding decisions. It is the abbreviation of Multi Protocol Label Switching. Over time, users in networks have increased and this big traffic has brought high bandwidth and forwarding speed need. The existing routing protocols are looking to the routing table for forwarding decision on all nodes and this was overloading the routers beside causing a lot of time lose. Here Multi Protocol Label Switching brings also CEF and this bypass the slow part of this layer 3 decisions. Beside that it brings the speed of OSI layer 2 switching. In brief, MPLS Networking is combining the beneficial parts of both Layer 2 and Layer 3 of OSI reference model.

 


If you would like to learn more about MPLS, you can follow the lessons of Nokia MPLS Training.


 

In addition to these negative facts, there were some other problems about ATM technology, while working together with Ethernet and Frame Relay. To solve all these problems IETF developed MPLS in 1997. This development could be done with existing routing protocols. But changing all the existing routing protocols was very difficult, so IETF has chosen developing a new protocol.

 

This new protocol is using Labels for routing decisions. These labels are router specific and local significant to that router.

 


 

Table of Contents

MPLS Header

We have learned what is MPLS. Now, let’s focus MPLS Header. For MPLS Networking, a header is added between Layer 2 and Layer 3 header in packets. This MPLS Header is 32 bits long. This header consist of the below fields:

  • Label (20 bits),
  • Experimental Bits (3 bits),
  • Bottom of Stack (1bit),
  • Time to Live (8 bits)

mpls-header

 

Label value is local significant for the router and it is used for label switching. Experimental field is used as Class of Service for QoS. One bit Bottom of Stack shows that if this label is the last label in the packet or not (1 shows that it is the last). Finally, the TTL value is used for loop protection like other IP packets.

 

mpls-labels

 

As an example, you can check the below packet capture that includes also an MPLS Header. Here, MPLS Header is shown with blue rectangle. As you can see Multi Protocol Label Switching header is between the Layer 2 header (ethernet II header) and Layer 3 header.

 

 


If you would like to learn more about MPLS, you can follow the lessons of Nokia MPLS Training.


MPLS Router Types

Firstly, I want to talk about Router terms used in this technology. There are different routers used in MPL Technology. These routers are given below:

  • Customer Router (C)
  • Customer Edge Router (CE)
  • Provider Router (P)
  • Provider Edge Router (PE)

Customer Router is the router of customer, so it is not related to MPLS network.

Customer Edge Router is the router that is connected to MPLS PE Router of the Service Provider Network.

Provider Router is the router used in Service Provider Networks for MPLS Label Switching and Data Forwarding.

Provider Edge Router is the router that is located at the edges of the Service Provider Networks. They are the routers that VPN Services are defined. They are the borders between customer and Service Provider networks.

The below shape clearly explains the location of these routers.

 

mpls-routers

 

Instead of Provider Router or Provider Edge Router, we can also use LSR (Label Switching Router) and Edge LSR (Edge Label Switching Router) terms for the routers capable of label switching. Specifically, Edge LSRs can be divided into two as Ingress Edge LSR and Egress Edge LSR. The below shape shows this clearly:

 

mpls-ingress-egress-pe-routers

 

Lesson tags: mpls, mpls header, lsp
Back to: JNCIE > MPLS

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

JNCIE

Collapse
Expand