RFC 3471 (rfc3471) - Page 2 of 34


Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Signaling Functional Description



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



RFC 3471        GMPLS Signaling Functional Description


   7.  Protection Information  .....................................  21
     7.1  Required Information  ....................................  22
   8.  Administrative Status Information  ..........................  23
     8.1  Required Information  ....................................  24
   9.  Control Channel Separation  .................................  25
     9.1  Interface Identification  ................................  25
     9.2  Fault Handling  ..........................................  27
   10. Acknowledgments  ............................................  27
   11. Security Considerations  ....................................  28
   12. IANA Considerations  ........................................  28
   13. Intellectual Property Considerations  .......................  29
   14. References  .................................................  29
     14.1  Normative References  ...................................  29
     14.2  Informative References  .................................  30
   15. Contributors  ...............................................  31
   16. Editor's Address  ...........................................  33
   17. Full Copyright Statement  ...................................  34

1. Introduction

   The Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) architecture [RFC 3031] has
   been defined to support the forwarding of data based on a label.  In
   this architecture, Label Switching Routers (LSRs) were assumed to
   have a forwarding plane that is capable of (a) recognizing either
   packet or cell boundaries, and (b) being able to process either
   packet headers (for LSRs capable of recognizing packet boundaries) or
   cell headers (for LSRs capable of recognizing cell boundaries).

   The original architecture has recently been extended to include LSRs
   whose forwarding plane recognizes neither packet, nor cell
   boundaries, and therefore, can't forward data based on the
   information carried in either packet or cell headers.  Specifically,
   such LSRs include devices where the forwarding decision is based on
   time slots, wavelengths, or physical ports.

   Given the above, LSRs, or more precisely interfaces on LSRs, can be
   subdivided into the following classes:

   1. Interfaces that recognize packet/cell boundaries and can forward
      data based on the content of the packet/cell header.  Examples
      include interfaces on routers that forward data based on the
      content of the "shim" header, interfaces on (Asynchronous Transfer
      Mode) ATM-LSRs that forward data based on the ATM VPI/VCI.  Such
      interfaces are referred to as Packet-Switch Capable (PSC).







Berger                      Standards Track