MPLS Forwarding Compliance and Performance Requirements
draft-ietf-mpls-forwarding-09

MPLS                                                  C. Villamizar, Ed.
Internet-Draft                                                     OCCNC
Intended status: Informational                               K. Kompella
Expires: September 5, 2014                              Juniper Networks
                                                               S. Amante
                                                              Apple Inc.
                                                                A. Malis
                                                                  Huawei
                                                            C. Pignataro
                                                                   Cisco
                                                           March 4, 2014

        MPLS Forwarding Compliance and Performance Requirements
                     draft-ietf-mpls-forwarding-09

Abstract

   This document provides guidelines for implementers regarding MPLS
   forwarding and a basis for evaluations of forwarding implementations.
   Guidelines cover many aspects of MPLS forwarding.  Topics are
   highlighted where implementers might otherwise overlook practical
   requirements which are unstated or under emphasized or are optional
   for conformance to RFCs but are often considered mandatory by
   providers.

Status of This Memo

   This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
   provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.

   Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
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   This Internet-Draft will expire on September 5, 2014.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2014 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

Villamizar, et al.      Expires September 5, 2014               [Page 1]
Internet-Draft               MPLS Forwarding                  March 2014

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Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction and Document Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
     1.1.  Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     1.2.  Use of Requirements Language  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     1.3.  Apparent Misconceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     1.4.  Target Audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
   2.  Forwarding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     2.1.  Forwarding Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
       2.1.1.  MPLS Special Purpose Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
       2.1.2.  MPLS Differentiated Services  . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
       2.1.3.  Time Synchronization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
       2.1.4.  Uses of Multiple Label Stack Entries  . . . . . . . .  14
       2.1.5.  MPLS Link Bundling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
       2.1.6.  MPLS Hierarchy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
       2.1.7.  MPLS Fast Reroute (FRR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
       2.1.8.  Pseudowire Encapsulation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
         2.1.8.1.  Pseudowire Sequence Number  . . . . . . . . . . .  17
       2.1.9.  Layer-2 and Layer-3 VPN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     2.2.  MPLS Multicast  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     2.3.  Packet Rates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
     2.4.  MPLS Multipath Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
       2.4.1.  Pseudowire Control Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
       2.4.2.  Large Microflows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
       2.4.3.  Pseudowire Flow Label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
       2.4.4.  MPLS Entropy Label  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
       2.4.5.  Fields Used for Multipath Load Balance  . . . . . . .  25
         2.4.5.1.  MPLS Fields in Multipath  . . . . . . . . . . . .  25