Seamless MPLS using BGP label unicast deployment in service provider network using GNS3 simulator

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to interconnect different Service Provider N etworks by using Seamless MPLS with BGP Label Unicast (BGP-LU- RFC3107) instead of traditional MPLS with Label Distribution Protocol (LDP- RFC3036) between two NNI. The proposed design was incorporated using BGP-LU as it untangled the complications of advertising MPLS Transport Path across different Autonomous Systems. BGP LU was achieved by injecting Label of the FEC (Field Equivalence Class) into BGP NLRI Field attribute and this was identified by SAFI (Subsequent Address Family Identifier) field. In most Service Provider Networks, scalability was a highlighted constraint. Hence, with the deployment of BGP-LU along with MPLS, the service providers were connected across various geographical locations through NNI (Network to Network Integration) that shared only the label of customer FEC via BGP VPNV4 Routes. The simulation results were demonstrated with two Customers who had their offices at different locations connected to different service providers on different AS. The communication between the two offices in different AS was established by using BGP- LU where the labels were exchanged without any LDP or IGP between them. Thus, BGP-LU was deployed to scale the network reachability for multiple customers in different service provider networks. In the proposed approach, Scalability and Modularity were achieved that enhanced the Service Provider Network Design.