Introduction:

Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is one of the central elements of next generation networks. It provides an IP-compatible, 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 scalability 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 the MPLS technology, including the theory and configuration, network design issues, operations, VPN, traffic engineering, and GMPLS. We will start with an overview of conventional routing and how it compares to MPLS routing. We will then learn about the underlying concepts, features, functions, benefits, and applications of MPLS. We will also study the frame-mode and cell-mode MPLS, the concept of MPLS labels, label stack and different label formats, the label distribution process between LSRs, the loop detection and prevention mechanisms in MPLS, MPLS architecture, MPLS VPN, MPLS QoS, and MPLS traffic engineering. We will conclude with an exploration of the future trends related to the MPLS technology.

Audience:

Those with a technical background who are familiar with data networking concepts and have the need to understand the evolving MPLS-based systems.

Prerequisites:

You should have some familiarity with communications engineering as well as a general understanding of data networking and the IP protocol concepts. For those unfamiliar with IP, the course can be extended to three days to include a review of the IP background.

Customize it:

This 2-3-day MPLS course will be customized to your needs and specifications. Enowireless will assist you in identifying those needs and specifications. A word to the wise, there are many vendors of wireless training. They will typically have a broad and general course, one size fits all, already developed and just put your organization’s name on the title slide. This minimizes their effort and time investment. At Enowireless, every course is made to your exact and exacting specifications. We help you ensure what you are getting is what you really need even if at the beginning you weren’t too sure of what that was. We fit the class to your needs. We never fit you into our “standard”, one size fits all, class.

Objectives:

Upon course completion, you will be able to: Describe the features, functions, and benefits of MPLS Identify suitable applications for MPLS Explain the underlying concepts of MPLS Elaborate on 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 Describe the QoS mechanisms in MPLS Describe the VPN in MPLS

Course Outline

Overview of Routing and MPLS Layer 3 Routing Native Hop-by-Hop Network Layer Routing Next Hop Selection Functions Label Switching MPLS Forwarding Paradigm Integration of IP and ATM Advantages of MPLS Forwarding over Conventional Network Layer Forwarding Why MPLS? Label Switch Routers (LSRs) LSR Basics ATM LSRs LSR Routing Operation MPLS Labels MPLS Labels Basics Label Encapsulation Label Assignment and Distribution Upstream and Downstream LSR Label Distribution: Purpose Label Distribution: Protocols Label Distribution: Methods Label Retention Modes Label Switched Path (LSP) LSP Setup Control MPLS Architecture MPLS Operation MPLS Node Architecture MPLS Elements Loop Survival, Detection, and Prevention in MPLS Virtual Private Networks Overview of VPNs Connection-Oriented VPNs Connectionless VPNs Comparison of VPN Technologies Advantages of MPLS VPNs Packet-Based MPLS VPNs Basics of MPLS and BGP MPLS VPN Operation Verifying VPN Operation BGP Route Reflectors Carrier-over-Carrier MPLS VPNs Internet Access over MPLS VPNs Trace Route Enhancements MPLS VPN Management ATM-Based MPLS VPNs Basics ATM LSR: Merge Capabilities Issues with ATM Downstream-on-Demand and ATM ATM-LSR and VC-merge ATM-Based MPLS VPNs MPLS and Tag Switching Terminology Packet-Based MPLS over ATM ATM-Based MPLS Cell Interleaving VC Merge Label Virtual Circuits Label Switch Controllers Virtual Switch Interface IP+ATM Packet-Based MPLS over ATM VPNs ATM-Based MPLS VPNs. MPLS Traffic Engineering The Need for Traffic Engineering on the Internet Unequal-Cost Load Balancing via Metric Manipulation Advantages of MPLS Traffic Engineering MPLS Traffic Engineering Elements (Dynamic/Static LSPs) MPLS Traffic Engineering Configuration Configuration Case Study of an MPLS Traffic-Engineered Network (IS-IS) Configuration Case Study of an MPLS Traffic-Engineered Network (OSPF) MPLS Quality of Service Introduction to Quality of Service Integrated Services IP Precedence Differentiated Services Modular QoS CLI MPLS Implementation of DiffServ MPLS VPN Support of QoS MPLS QoS Implementation Configuring QoS for MPLS VPNs MPLS QoS Case Study MPLS Design and Migration MPLS VPN Design and Topologies Migrating MPLS into an ATM Network ATM MPLS Design Criteria Designing MPLS Networks Additional MPLS Design Considerations Route Selection Basics Standard IP and MPLS IP Forwarding MPLS Label Distribution Label Switched Path (LSP) Explicitly Routed LSP (ER-LSP): Basics, Example, Advantages Hop-by-Hop versus Explicit Routing DiffServ Support in MPLS Basics Types of LSPs for DiffServ Support EXP-Inferred-PSC LSP (E-LSP) Label-Only-Inferred-PSC LSP (L-LSP) Bandwidth Reservation for E-LSP and L-LSP *Advanced Topics such as Traffic Engineering, GMPLS and Multi-protocol Lambda Switching *Conclusion: Recap, Q/A, and Evaluation