Reliable packet transport technologies for MPLS networks

Diverse applications in emerging data services demand flexibility of tradeoffs between resiliency and cost rather than a "one size fits all" approach. We discuss resilient packet mesh (RPM), a platform of packet transport technologies that provides a set of resiliency services for IP/MPLS-based networks, including two innovative resiliency services: packet 1+1 and real-time shared mesh. These resiliency services cover a whole spectrum of diverse user/application needs in resiliency and provide key tradeoffs in terms of recovery time, failure coverage, and required protection capacity. The packet 1+1 and shared mesh services, in particular, are architected so as to require support only at the network edge in their basic forms. As a result, RPM allows for easy interoperability in a multivendor environment and enables service-providers to introduce new services without costly upgrades to their core networks. Also discussed are the building blocks of a working RPM advanced software implementation that is built with a common framework that enables the support of different services with minimal modifications and enhancements which makes it attractive from the system vendor standpoint. Finally, RPM implementation is designed for high-performance with scalability and introduces minimal overhead in packet processing, signaling and network bandwidth.