Evolution of multiprotocol label switching

Author

Viswanathan, A. ; Feldman, Nancy ; Wang, Zheng ; Callon, Ross

Author_Institution

Bell Labs., Lucent Technol., USA

Volume

36

Issue

5

fYear

1998

fDate

5/1/1998 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

165

Lastpage

173

Abstract

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is rapidly emerging as an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard intended to enhance the speed, scalability, and service provisioning capabilities in the Internet. MPLS uses the technique of packet forwarding based on labels, to enable the implementation of a simpler high-performance packet forwarding engine. This also decouples packet forwarding from routing, facilitating the provision of varied routing services independent of the packet forwarding paradigm. The authors track the evolution of this technology in relation to other existing technologies. Then an overview of the MPLS architecture and design is provided. In addition, some of the work that was a precursor to MPLS is discussed, as well as related issues and debates

Keywords

Internet; packet switching; protocols; telecommunication network routing; telecommunication standards; IETF standard; Internet Engineering Task Force; MPLS architecture; MPLS design; high-performance packet forwarding engine; multiprotocol label switching; packet routing; routing services; scalability; service provisioning; Asynchronous transfer mode; IP networks; Laboratories; Multiprotocol label switching; Quality of service; Routing; Search engines; Spine; Switches; Web and internet services;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Communications Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0163-6804

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/35.668287

Filename

668287