Course Name
MPLS Fundamentals
Course Number
LS 122 103
Course Duration
2 days
Course Description
MPLS stands for "Multiprotocol Label Switching". In an MPLS
network, incoming packets are assigned a "label" by a "label edge
router (LER)". Packets are forwarded along a "label switch path
(LSP)" where each "label switch router (LSR)" makes forwarding
decisions based solely on the contents of the label. At each hop,
the LSR strips off the existing label and apply a new label which
tells the next hop how to forward the packet.
Label Switch Paths (LSPs) are established by network operators for
a variety of purposes, such as to guarantee a certain level of
performance, to route around network congestion, or to create IP
tunnels for network-based virtual private networks. In many ways,
LSPs are no different than circuit-switched paths in ATM or Frame
Relay networks, except that they are not dependent on a particular
Layer 2 technology.
An LSP can be established that crosses multiple Layer 2 transports
such as ATM, Frame Relay or Ethernet. Thus, one of the true
promises of MPLS is the ability to create end-to-end circuits, with
specific performance characteristics, across any type of transport
medium, eliminating the need for overlay networks or Layer 2 only
control mechanisms
Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is one of the central
elements of next generation networks. It provides an IPcompatible, QoS-capable infrastructure that enables the
convergence of voice, IP, ATM, Ethernet, and Frame Relay onto the
same backbone network. MPLS can combine the intelligence and
salability of routing with the reliability and manageability of
traditional carrier networks. It is the key to scalable virtual private
networks (VPNs) and end-to-end quality of service (QoS).
This course provides an in-depth study of MPLS technology,
including MPLS theory and configuration, network design issues,
case studies, operations, VPN, Traffic Engineering and GMPLS
(Generalized MPLS).
Course Objective
After successfully completing this course, attendees will:
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List the features, functions and benefits of MPLS
Identify suitable applications for MPLS
Describe the underlying concepts of MPLS
Describe the frame-mode MPLS and cell-mode MPLS
Describe the concept of MPLS labels, label stack and different
label formats
Describe the label distribution process between LSRs
Describe the loop detection and prevention mechanisms in
MPLS
Explore the future trends of MPLS
Target Audience
Anyone seeking a technical overview of MPLS
Prerequisites
General understanding
recommended
Course Modules
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of
data
networking
concepts
is
What is MPLS?
Challenges for new IP centric networks
Limitations of traditional IP networking
Achieving QoS
Understanding the fundamentals
Proprietary approaches to MPLS
IP Switching (Nokia), IP Navigator (Lucent), Tag Switching
(Cisco)
Basic MPLS operation
MPLS Terminology
Forwarding Equivalence Class
Label encoding, distribution and binding
Traffic Engineering: The need for Constrained and Explicit
Routes
Label Distribution and signaling
Routing of LSPs
Label distribution methods
RSVP as a label distribution protocol
MPLS extensions to RSVP
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Label distribution and binding with RSVP
The Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) and CR-LDP
LDP operation
Label Retention modes
Comparison of RSVP and LDP
MPLS Architecture
MPLS Operation
MPLS Node Architecture
MPLS Elements
Loop Survival, Detection, and Prevention in MPLS
A comparison of Frame Relay, ATM and MPLS
Integration of IP and ATM
Challenges Faced by Service Providers
Frame Relay and MPLS
Label Ranges and processing
Label Distribution
Hybrid Switches
Multipoint and VC merging
ATM and MPLS
Mapping to ATM QoS
MPLS Traffic Engineering (MPLS-TE)
Overview of Traffic Engineering
MPLS Traffic Engineering Elements
MPLS Traffic Engineering Configuration
LSP Path determination
Explicit routes and constraint based routing
Fast Re-routing: Taking account of Network Failures
MPLS deployment "Edge or Core"
ATM and Traffic Engineering
Unequal-Cost Load Balancing via Metric Manipulation
Advantages of MPLS Traffic Engineering
Advanced MPLs topics
MPLS Design and Implementation
ATM-based MPLS VPNs using WAN-switched ATM LSRs
Implement MPLS traffic engineering
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Real-world MPLS VPNs, TE, and QoS
Case studies and configuration examples
Network management issues
Multiprotocol Lambda Switching
MPLS VPN
Voice over MPLS
MPLS management
Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS)
What is GMPLS?
Generalized MPLS (Formerly MPL(ambda)S)
Extension of the MPLS Control Plane
components of GMPLS
GMPLS Key Extensions to MPLS-TE
Routing and addressing model
Addressing of PSC and non-PSC layers
GMPLS salability enhancements
TE Extensions to IP routing protocols
Network Management
Security considerations