Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A MPLS/LDP Distributed Architecture for Next Generation Routers

  • Published:
Journal of Network and Systems Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the main concerns of network operators is that current routers are not scalable in order to meet future traffic requirements on the core Internet taking into account new applications. The next generation routers with petabit switching capacity are being built to serve higher demands. Their processing capability is enhanced by additional memory and computing resources on control and line cards with a very large number of high speed interfaces. However, the current routing software architecture is not able to fully exploit such an advanced hardware platform. This paper proposes a first distributed software architecture of MPLS/LDP targeting the next generation routers. We investigate the ability of offloading components of the current centralized architecture of MPLS/LDP on to line cards in order to share the load between the control and line cards. This allows the signaling to be achieved entirely at the line card level, hence, improving the robustness, scalability and resiliency of the system. Performance evaluation, considering the CPU utilization and the number of exchanged messages, is also presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cisco Systems Inc.: Cisco Visual Networking Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2010–2015. White paper (2011). http://www.cisco.com

  2. Chao, H.J., Liu, B.: High Performance Switches and Routers. Wiley-Interscience, USA (2007)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Cisco Systems Inc.: Maximum Number of Interfaces and Subinterfaces for Cisco IOS Platforms: IDB Limits. White paper (2008). http://www.cisco.com

  4. Leelanivas, M., Rekhter, Y., Aggarwal, R.: Graceful Restart Mechanism for Label Distribution Protocol. RFC3478, IETF—Network Working Group (2003)

  5. Sangli, S., Chen, E., Fernando, R., Scudder, J., Rekhter, Y.: Graceful Restart Mechanism for BGP. RFC 4724, IETF—Network Working Group (2007)

  6. Cisco Systems Inc.: Cisco IOS Software Releases 12.0 S Stateful Switchover. White Paper, (2011), http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_0s/feature/guide/sso120s.html

  7. Cisco Systems Inc.: Cisco IOS Software: Guide to Performing In-Service Software Upgrades. White Paper, (2006)

  8. Deval, M., Khosravi, H., Muralidhar, R., Ahmed, S., Bakshi, S., Yavatkar, R.: Distributed control plane architecture for network elements. Intel Technol J 7(4), 51–63 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Rosen, E., Viswanathan, A., Callon, R.: Multiprotocol Label Switching Architecture. RFC3031, IETF—Network Working Group (2001)

  10. Andersson, L., Doolan, P., Feldman, N., Fredette, A., Thomas, B.: LDP Specification. RFC3036, IETF—Network Working Group (2001)

  11. Andersson, L., Bryant, S.: The IETF multiprotocol label switching standard: The MPLS transport profile case. IEEE Internet Comput Mag 12(4), 69–73 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Nguyen, K.-K., Jaumard, B., Agarwal, A.: A distributed and scalable routing table manager for next generation IP router. IEEE Netw Mag 22(2), 1–8 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Nguyen, K.-K., Jaumard, B.: A Distributed Model for Next Generation Router Software. In: Proceedings of HPSR’07, 1–6 (2007)

  14. Cisco Systems Inc.: Implementing MPLS Label Distribution Protocol on Cisco IOS XR Software. In: Cisco IOS XR MPLS Configuration Guide, (2008)

  15. Nguyen, K.-K., Mahkoum, H., Jaumard, B., Assi, C., Lanoue, M.: Towards a Distributed Control Plane Architecture for Next Generation Routers. In: Proceedings of ECUMN’2007, 173–182 (2007)

  16. Crouch, A., Khosravi, H., Doria, A., Wang, X., Ogawa, K.: Forwarding and Control Element Separation (ForCES) Applicability Statement. RFC6041, IETF—Network Working Group (2010)

  17. Hidell, M., Sjödin, P., Klockar T., Carr-Motyckova L.: A Modularized Control Plane for BGP. In: Proceedings of the 19th IASTED, 168–175 (2007)

  18. Bolla, R., Bruschi, R., Lamanna, G., Ranieri, A.: DROP: An Open-Source Project towards Distributed SW Router Architectures. In: Proceedings of IEEE GLOBECOM 2009, 1–6 (2009)

  19. Nguyen, K.-K., Jaumard, B.: A Distributed and Scalable RSVP-TE Architecture for Next Generation IP Routers. In: Proceeding of IEEE HPSR’09, 1–6 (2009)

  20. Nguyen, K.-K., Jaumard, B.: A distributed and Scalable MPLS Architecture for the Next Generation Routers, HPSR’08. In: Proceeding of IEEE HPSR’08, 63–68 (2008)

  21. Moy, J.: OSPF Version 2. RFC2328, IETF—Network Working Group (1998)

  22. ISO: Intermediate System to Intermediate System Routing Information Exchange Protocol for use in Conjunction with the Protocol for Providing the Connectionless-mode Network Service (ISO 8473). ISO/IEC 10589:2002, Second Edition (2002)

  23. Rekhter, Y., Rosen, E.: Carrying Label Information in BGP-4. RFC3107, IETF—Network Working Group (2001)

  24. Kaplan, H.: Non-Stop Routing Technology. Avici Systems Inc, White Paper (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cisco Systems Inc.: Cisco Carrier Routing System (2006). http://www.cisco.com

  26. Juniper Inc.: Juniper Networks T-Series Core Platforms. http://www.juniper.net/products/tseries/

  27. Aweya, J.: IP router architectures: An overview. Int. J. Commun Syst 14(5), 447–476 (2001)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  28. Yang, L., Dantu, R., Anderson, T., Gopal, R.: Forwarding and Control Element Separation (ForCES) Framework. RFC 3746, IETF Network Working Group (2004)

  29. Decasper, D., Dittia, Z., Parulkar, G., Plattner, B.: Router plugins: A software architecture for next-generation routers. IEEE/ACM Trans Netw 8(1), 2–15 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. NextHop Technologies Inc.: GATED software. (2005). http://www.nexthop.com/products/gated.shtml

  31. Nguyen, K–.K.: Enabling Architectures for QoS Provisioning. Concordia University, PhD Dissertation (2008)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research is supported by Hyperchip, Inc. and the Concordia Research Chair of B. Jaumard on the optimization of communication networks.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecole de Technologie Superieure, University of Quebec, Montreal, Canada

    Kim Khoa Nguyen

  2. CIISE, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

    Brigitte Jaumard

Authors
  1. Kim Khoa Nguyen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brigitte Jaumard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kim Khoa Nguyen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nguyen, K.K., Jaumard, B. A MPLS/LDP Distributed Architecture for Next Generation Routers. J Netw Syst Manage 21, 535–561 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10922-012-9250-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10922-012-9250-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation