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Technical University of Denmark, Research Center COM Communications, Optics and Materials

Technical University of d International Faculty of Engineering

Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Supervisors: Lars Dittmann - Associate Professor Henrik Christiansen - M.Sc.E.E., Ph.D. Student Co-supervisor: Sawomir Hausman - M.Sc., Ph.D.

August 2003

Masters Thesis by Emilia Dobranowska (Student number: s002758)

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Abstract
Farsighted anticipation and future network planning activities are issues concerning both operators and users. The complexity of heterogeneous next generation solutions imposes serious demands for technology interoperability and openness. The status of current networks reveals problems associated with rapid traffic growth rates, demands for qualitative traffic treatment and effective network resource utilization. These challenges are addressed by Traffic Engineering (TE) practices. Analysis of TE functions points out main objectives for controllable and accountable traffic organization within the network. In this perspective there is Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology emerging as a promising solution for the cores. The most encouraging benefits come from separation of control and forwarding planes, which can result in enhanced scalability and flexibility. The main theme and objective of the thesis is investigation of TE potential of MPLS technology. The study exposes MPLS means of implementing TE as well as methods for providing resiliency. The subjects are presented in a broad context with research focused on MPLS internal operation, its signalling protocols, and network resiliency concerns. The MPLS TE features are verified by network model implementations and simulations performed with OPNET Modeler tool.

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Acknowledgements
This Masters Thesis is developed at Research Center COM at Denmark Technical University (DTU) in collaboration with International Faculty of Engineering at Technical University of d . I would like to thank my supervisors, Lars Dittmann, Henrik Christiansen from DTU and Sawomir Hausman from Technical University of d . The thesis would not have been completed without their appreciation and trust in my capacities. I learnt a lot following an independent study approach pointed out by Lars Dittmann. I appreciate help I received from Henrik Christiansen who devoted his time to assist me in works on OPNET implementations. I would like to thank Sawomir Hausman for his support and for giving me the chance to develop the thesis abroad. I am grateful for honest and invaluable help from Maciej Maycha who provided me with good programming practices and code optimisation suggestions. I would like to thank Stuart Glasson for his support and effort to correct my English. An important acknowledgment is given to Rafa Wilkowski for his constant assistance and understanding during my studies. Finally, I sincerely thank my parents for their encouragement and support.

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

INDEX ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................................2 OVERVIEW OF THE REPORT ........................................................................................................4 FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................7 PART I "NETWORK IDEOLOGY, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, MPLS, RESILIENCY"..9 PART II " IMPLEMENTATION, MODELLING, SIMULATION ".119 ABBREVIATIONS..234 REFERENCES....239 APPENDICES.246

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Overview of the report


The main report is divided into two parts and concludes with closing remarks.

Part I deals with theoretical concepts regarding networking issues.


Chapter 1 introduces fundamental networking models: B-ISDN, OSI, TCP/IP and abstractions of communication systems. Basic access and core network structures are presented with sample topologies and transmission means developed over time. It pictures network foundations and evolution, together with arising problems including inefficient network resource utilization, traffic congestion and insufficient non-qualitative treatment. Chapter 2 presents traffic engineering as a solution for concerns indicated in chapter 1. It gives TE definitions specified by ITU-T and IETF and presents TE functions and practical implementations by means of ATM and MPLS. In the view of present ATM limitations MPLS approach of split data and control planes emerges as a flexible and promising solution. Chapter 3 reveals MPLS technology with its potential towards TE. TE MPLS means are seen in terms of FECs, traffic trunks, dynamic and static label switching paths mappings, support for CBR and multiple recovery options. Fundamental operational MPLS philosophy is augmented with detailed description of signalling protocols (CR-LDP and RSVP-TE). The protocols are viewed in the perspective of their capabilities and support for TE. At the end, their features are confronted and discussed with regards to current and future concerns. Chapter 4 deals with recovery mechanisms abilities and their employment in the networks. It includes two main subchapters one presenting network resiliency concepts and another on recovery with MPLS. There is background information introduced regarding failures, resilient network objectives, availability and reliability. The main theme covers subjects of recovery mechanisms considered in terms of protection and restoration activities, as well scope of the

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

repair and the protection path requisites. To give broader context of the available approaches, recovery schemes at physical and network layers are reviewed. Finally, MPLS protection and restoration techniques are described. Example scenarios are provided to demonstrate MPLS features and their operation. Moreover, prospect proposals of MPLS innovative approaches are shortly considered.

Part II reports on simulations and discusses their results. It describes an


implementation performed to model and simulate relevant network scenarios. The simulated situations relate directly to issues brought up in the theoretical part. In this section one can find introduction of the simulation tool, an explanation of specific configurations, as well as obtained and analysed results. The remarks and conclusions are founded on theoretical assumptions aligned with observed simulated effects. All comments, descriptions, settings as well as notes regarding results are based on authors individual view. Chapter 5 presents general remarks regarding modelling and suggests simulation practices. Chapter 6 is dedicated to the implementation studies including network modelling and simulations with OPNET. The scenarios can be categorized within four main subjects: TE, topology generation, MPLS performance and recovery mechanisms. TE simulations show means for improvement of standard Internet routing effects. The results also reveal additional advantages brought with TE practices such as enhanced performance of traffic treated according to its type. Global TE is presented in the scenarios to demonstrate its capabilities in superior resource utilization efficiency. Resiliency engineering is simulated to reveal its advantages. Section on topology generation presents innovative mechanisms developed for automatic topology generation in OPNET. It is considered fundamental framework for further simulations regarding MPLS performance.

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Then, MPLS performance is evaluated by simulations relating topology factors and signalling protocols operation. Further, recovery mechanisms are modelled and simulated in terms of MPLS schemes available for providing protections for the path. The solutions are compared with regards to traffic reroute and path recovery times. Eventually, chapter 7 provides final remarks and conclusions.

At the end, lists of abbreviations and references are presented. Supplemented appendices contain additional information closing the content of the report.

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

Foreword
Language The report is prepared to adhere to British English spelling. Numbering and unit format Comma notation within numbers (e.g. 1,000) points out an indication of a thousand. Decimal fractions are indicated with a point (e.g. 0.5 ). Formatting remarks Formatting of the report is based on guidelines provided by dr. Sawomir Hausman. Terminology Terms used within the project are based on network standards and generally conform to IETF and ITU-T definitions. However, as the context of the project is very broad their meaning could be read in a more general context. Additional notes are provided when terms need to be explicitly described. Some definitions, when not referenced to the literature, are based on knowledge gathered from lectures and studies over last years. Many basic definitions are assumed to be apparent, and thus are omitted in the report. Reading guidelines Since the project entails large scope of topics and documentation of the work that has been done, the report is organized in the way to help readers reach areas they are interested in. The content of the report is introduces in section on Overview of the report. The project consists of two main parts: Part I and Part II that start with indices on their subjects. Chapters start with general objectives or introduction about their content and end up with summary section. Final notes and conclusions are provided at the final stage. At the end one may find list of references and abbreviations used within the report. Additionally, appendices provide supplementary section.

Emilia Dobranowska Traffic engineering with MPLS in core networks

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