MPLS has come a long way since its original goal to allow core routers to switch packets faster using a simplified header. MPLS is now a foundation of IP-based networks, providing value-added services such as traffic engineering and VPN services. The success and familiarity of MPLS in the core is driving service providers to deploy MPLS beyond the core network and into access, aggregation, and backhaul networks to support broadband, business, and mobility services. With active development in standards bodies, MPLS is also emerging as an industry standard to enable connection-oriented packet transport with MPLS-TP. Read more »

Carrier Ethernet technology provides carriers with end-to-end Ethernet services over wide area networks (WANs), and implements both cost and simplicity benefits. However, Ethernet doesn’t have the same carrier-grade functionality of the TDM networks they aim to replace, resulting in challenges associated with quality of service (QoS) guarantees, rapid failover implementation, service management, and scalability. New standards and objectives address these issues, allowing carriers to effectively and reliably deploy Ethernet-based carrier networks. Read more »

Test equipment is playing a critical part in the functional, interoperability, and performance validation of MPLS-TP. Ixia has been working with network equipment manufacturers (NEMs), service providers, and test labs to validate MPLS-TP features and functionality, troubleshoot and resolve implementation issues, and satisfy the milestones that will precede deployment. Read more »

MPLS-TP is a new technology undergoing continued development. It is designed as a low-cost Level 2 technology that supports connection-oriented packet transport services with a similar degree of predictability, reliability, and OAM (operations, administration and maintenance) found in existing TDM transport networks. Service providers that need to streamline operations and simplify converged networks are driving the development of MPLS-TP standards and solutions. MPLS-TP has garnered tremendous interest from the service provider community and will be a key area of product development for network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) over the next several years. Read more »

Join Ixia and other leading technology companies on June 16, 2011, for a Light Reading webinar focusing on the primary drivers for the deployment of MPLS-TP technology; key applications for which MPLS-TP could prove attractive; and hurtles to overcome for large-scale deployment. The Webinar will include thought-leader panelists from Ixia, Cisco, ECI Telecom, Ericsson, and MetaSwitch. Service provider needs to streamline operations and simplify converged networks are driving the development of MPLS-TP standards and solutions. MPLS-TP is designed as a low-cost Level 2 technology that supports connection-oriented packet transport services with a similar degree of predictability, reliability, and OAM (operations, administration and maintenance) found in existing transport networks. Read more »