GMPLS: Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching
Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) enhances MPLS
architecture by the complete separation of the control and data planes of
various networking layers. GMPLS enables a seamless interconnection and
convergence of new and legacy networks by allowing end-to-end provisioning,
control and traffic engineering even when the start and the end nodes belong to
heterogeneous networks.
GMPLS is based on the IP routing and addressing models. This
assumes that IPv4 and/or IPv6 addresses are used to identify interfaces but
also that traditional (distributed) IP routing protocols are reused. The common
control plane promises to simplify network operation and management by
automating end-to-end provisioning of connections, managing network resources,
and providing the level of QoS that is expected in the new applications.
While the technology used by the GMPLS control plane remains
IP-based, the data plane (traffic plane) can now diversify to include more
varieties of traffic (TDM, Lambda, packet, and fiber, etc). Generalized MPLS (GMPLS)
supports multiple types of switching, i.e., the addition of support for TDM,
lambda, and fiber (port) switching. In summary, GMPLS extends MPLS
functionality by establishing and provisioning paths for:
- TDM paths, where time slots are
the labels (SONET).
- FDM paths, where
electromagnetic frequency is the label (light waves).
- Space division
multiplexed paths, where the label indicates the physical position of data
(Photonic Cross-connect).
GMPLS is based on the Traffic Engineering (TE) extensions to MPLS(MPLS-TE).
The biggest addition in the GMPLS protocol suite is a new signaling protocol,
Link Management Protocol (LMP), to establish, release and manage connections
between two adjacent GMPLS-capable nodes. Other protocols RSVP-TE, OSPF-TE,
CR-LDP and IS-IS-TE, where OSPF-TE and IS-IS-TE are extended from the original
protocols for GMPLS, are used in the GMPLS architecture.
Protocol Structure - Generalized Multiprotocol
Label Switching (MPLS)
GMPLS Protocol Suite Overview
Protocols
|
Description
|
|
Routing
|
OSPF - TE, IS - IS -
TE
|
Routing protocols for
the auto-discovery of network topology, advertise resource availability.
|
Signaling
|
RSVP - TE, CR - LDP
|
Signaling protocols
for the establishment of traffic-engineered LSPs.
|
Link Management
|
LMP
|
|
Reference
http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/ccamp-charter.html : GMPLS Charter
http://www.javvin.com/protocol/rfc3031.pdf : Multiprotocol Label Switching
Architecture
http://www.javvin.com/protocol/rfc3945.pdf: Generalized
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Architecture
