VoIP over MPLS networking requirements

Abstract

Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is currently emerging as the protocol of the future due to several key features that MPLS networking provides through traffic engineering. Some of these features are possible due to its multiprotocol architecture where it utilizes a simple label switching procedure to provide various quality of service (QoS) features, explicit source routing, differentiated services, architectural scalability, integrated service features, and high quality end-to-end service features that are necessary for virtual private networks (VPNs). Currently, the constraint-based routing label distribution protocol (CR-LDP) and the extensions to the resource reservation protocol (ERSVP) are the signaling algorithms under development that will be used for MPLS traffic engineering. In this paper, we investigate the requirements of MPLS networking for voice over IP (VoIP) applications, and propose extensions to the MPLS protocol, MPLS routers, CR-LDP, and E-RSVP for improved compatibility and system performance of VoIP over MPLS (VoMPLS) network services.