Chapter 4 - GMPLS Signaling

Abstract

This chapter introduces generalized multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) signaling, explains the role of signaling within a GMPLS network, and defines the signaling protocol that is used to exchange messages within the control plane in order to establish label switched paths (LSPs) within the data plane. The chapter provides detailed coverage of GMPLS signaling concepts and interfaces as well as the basic signaling protocol, and how it was extended to satisfy the needs of GMPLS. There were originally two signaling protocols specified for GMPLS networks—resource reservation protocol-traffic engineering (RSVP-TE) and constraint-based routed label distribution protocol. Work on the latter has been halted by the internet engineering task force, because it is generally recognized that only a single signaling protocol is necessary. The remainder of the chapter, therefore, concentrates only on the messages and features of RSVP-TE. Next, the chapter takes a look at how these are put together in order to set up, maintain, and tear down LSPs. GMPLS includes several new objects that add features to the previous version of RSVP-TE, and new objects are proposed all the time so that new functions can be added to signaling.