Essay on Analyzing Multi Protocol Label Switching

Abstract:
This paper is on “Analyzing Multi Protocol Label Switching”. The paper provides an in-depth look at the technology behind MPLS, with an emphasis on the protocols involved. It further discusses why MPLS is an important component in the deployment of converged networks. Both large and small Internet Service Providers (ISPs) constantly face the challenges of adapting their networks to support rapid growth and customer demand for more reliable and differentiated services. In the mid-1990s, the IP-over-ATM model provided many ISPs a solution for delivering excellent performance and performing traffic engineering. Moreover, many carriers found it cost-effective to multiplex Internet traffic as one of many services carried over an ATM core. Recently, the growth of Internet services and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology at the fiber level has provided a viable alternative to ATM for multiplexing multiple services over individual circuits. In addition, the once faster and higher bandwidth ATM switches are being out-performed by Internet backbone routers. Equally important, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) offers simpler mechanisms for packet-oriented traffic engineering and multiservice functionality with the added benefit of greater scalability. MPLS emerged from the IETF’s effort to standardize a number of proprietary multilayer switching solutions that were initially proposed in the mid-1990s. To help you appreciate the importance of MPLS and its impact on the Internet core, the first half of this paper describes the forces that motivated the development and evolution of these different solutions, focusing on the common features and design considerations shared by the different solutions the complete separation of the control component from the forwarding component and the use of a label-swapping forwarding paradigm. It also describes the natural technological evolution that took place and that eventually culminated in the IETF working group’s definition of MPLS.................

ESSAYS ON TECHNOLOGY