MPLS White Papers

ATM/Frame Relay Integration:

• Does ATM Need MPLS? - Presentation describing trends in ATM markets and the impact of MPLS (Vertical Systems Group)
• Migration Strategies for IP Service Growth: Cell-switched MPLS or IP-routed MPLS - Provides an overview of alternative strategies for MPLS implementation (Juniper Networks)
• Q&A: Moving ATM & SONET Features Into IP Routers - Q&A with Cisco Architect and MPLS Working Group co-chair George Swallow on MPLS support for ATM & SONET services (Cisco Systems)

Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) and Optical Networking:

• ASON and GMPLS - a comparison - White paper comparing optical plane standards from the ITU and the IETF (DataConnection, 8/02)
• Experiments in Fast Restoration using GMPLS in Optical/Electronic Mesh Networks - Overview of experiments in building highly available GMPLS-based networks (AT&T Labs)
• MPLS and ASTN: Extending multiprotocol label switching for automatically switched transport networking - Describes how to use MPLS signaling for control of ASTN networks (Nortel Networks)
• MPLS in Optical Networks - White paper describing how MPLS is used to provision optical networks (Data Connection)
• Optical Hub - Collection of news and white papers on optical technologies
• Recent AT&T Optical Networking Publications - A collection of papers on a variety of topics related to MPLS and GMPLS in optical environments

Miscellaneous:

• Connecting IPv6 Islands with IPv4 MPLS - Describes how MPLS can be used on an IPv4 network to connect IPv6 domains (Juniper Networks)
• Daniel Obi Awduche's Home Page - Collection of papers and drafts on MPLS traffic engineering, GMPLS and more
• Lightreading Interview - Luca Martini, Level 3 - Co-Author of the "Martini" drafts gives his views on MPLS past, present and futures (Lightreading, May-03)
• MPOA, MPLS and IP Switching References - Prof. Raj Jain's links to information on MPLS and related technologies
• MPLS Benchmarks Define Net Processor Performance - Discusses "black box" testing options for MPLS performance in network processors (Communications Systems Design, June-03)
• MPLS - Overview and links from Webopedia
• Multi Layer Routing - Links to all internet drafts and RFC's on various Layer 2 and Layer 3 integration technologies including MPLS, ARIS, Tag Switching and Toshiba's CSR

MPLS Overview And Tutorials:

• Building Scaleable Service Provider IP Networks - White paper on justifications for using MPLS in service provider environments (Marconi)
• Introduction to MPLS: An Evolution from Tag Switching - A comprehensive introduction to MPLS, by Dr. Peter Welcher
• Introduction to MPLS, Part 2 - Continuation of the previous tutorial, includes Cisco CoS and traffic engineering configuration examples. By Dr. Peter Welcher
• MPLS Breaking Through, A Status Report - An update on MPLS deployment issues (Convergence, 5-01)
• MPLS Document Library - Collection of several white papers, tutorials and guides on various MPLS technologies (Nortel Networks)
• MPLS FAQ for Beginners - Cisco's introduction to MPLS (Cisco)
• MPLS Support Page - Collection of various white papers describing MPLS and supporting technologies (Riverstone Networks)
• MPLS Tutorial - WebProForum's introductory MPLS tutorial
• Multiprotocol Label Switching: Enhancing Routing in the New Public Network - White paper providing an overview on the benefits of MPLS for service provider networks.  (Juniper Networks)
• Tag Switching Protocols -Protocol.com's guide to MPLS

Quality of Service (QoS):

• Simulating Classes of Service over an IP/MPLS Backbone - Very detailed case study on provisioning of QoS capable VPN services
• True End-to-End Service Assurance for MPLS VPNs - Guide to management challenges in delivering MPLS-VPN services (Concord Communications)

Resiliency 

• Protection & Restoration in MPLS Networks - White Paper on deploying highly available MPLS-based networks (Data Connection)

Testing, Management, Modeling & Interoperability:

• MPLS Management with SPECTRUM - Describes how to use the Aprisma SPECTRUM MPLS Management platform (Aprisma, 11/02)
• MPLS Testing Gateway - Provides a clearinghouse for information on MPLS testing
• Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Conformance and Performance Testing - White paper providing an overview of MPLS technologies along with a guide to testing requirements and processes (IXIA)
• Testing MPLS Enabled Networks - White paper on testing MPLS networks (Agilent Technologies)
• Testing MPLS-VPNs - White paper describing techniques and tools for testing MPLS-VPNs (Agilent Technologies)
• http://www.iol.unh.edu/consortiums/mplsServices/OSRM_WPJan2004.pdf
  Describes testing methodology and results of a GMPLS-focused test event that took place January 12-16, 2004 at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory. Milestone test scenarios detailed include validation of constrained shortest path first (CSPF) protocol in a GMPLS-enabled network and Label Switched Path (LSP) behavior in a variety of fault conditions. Participants included Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT), Alcatel, Agilent, Juniper, Navtel, Movaz and Sycamore Networks.
• http://www.iol.unh.edu/consortiums/mplsServices/Second_OSRM_TestEvent_WhitePaper.pdf
  Details testing methodology and results of testing in an aggressive carrier-class GMPLS environment including several interworking scenarios that had not been achieved in previous multi-vendor test settings. The testing, conducted by the UNH-IOL OSRM test group, involved a variety of test cases that focused on stability testing, control channel fault handling and data channel failure recovery.
• 3rd Optical Signaling, Routing and Management Test Event - Details a series of a July 2005 multi-vendor GMPLS tests run by the UNH-IOL OSRM test group in partnership with Japanese service provider NTT

Traffic Engineering:

• A Comparions of MPLS Traffic Engineering Initiatives - Provides an overview and comparison of MPLS-TE using RSVP-TE and CR-LDP (NetPlane Systems)
• Deploying MPLS Traffic Engineering - An overview of the process for deploying traffic engineering using MPLS.  (Juniper Networks)
• Traffic Engineering for the New Public Network - An overview of the present and future of traffic engineering.  (Juniper Networks)
• Traffic Engineering Solutions for Core Networks - White paper describing trends and technologies for scaling Internet core networks (Alcatel) 

VPNs:

• A Comparison Between IPSec and Multiprotocol Label Switching Virtual Private Networks - White paper comparing various approaches for creating IP-based VPNs (Cisco)
• BGP & MPLS-based VPNs - An informative article on configuring IP-VPNs in MPLS-based environments. Includes Cisco-specific configuration examples (Cisco World, 10-00)
• Cisco MPLS-VPN: Security Equivalent to Frame Relay - Report comparing security of MPLS-VPN services with that of Frame Relay-based services. (Miercom)
• Keep it Simple with BGP/MPLS Virtual Private Networks - Describes features and capabilities of BGP/MPLS VPNs (Lambdanet, 11/02)
• Leveraging MPLS To Enhance Network Transport Capabilities - Discusses service provider opportunities in using MPLS to provide MAN and WAN VPN services (Extreme Networks)
• MPLS-Based Transparent LAN Services - White paper describing how MPLS can be used to deliver new services in Metropolitan Area Networks. (Riverstone Networks)
• MPLS Virtual Private Networks - White Paper on using MPLS to provide VPN services. (Data Connection)
• MPLS VPNs: The Real Deal - An overview of MPLS-VPN solutions (Network Computing, 6-02)
• RFC 2547bis: BGP/MPLS VPN Fundamentals - Describes protocols and standards for building MPLS-based VPNs using BGP (Juniper Networks)
• VPN Technologies - A Comparison - White paper comparing MPLS with various other alternatives for VPNs (Data Connection, 2/03)
• VPN Technologies: Definitions and Requirements - A very detailed white paper describing various VPN technologies and their uses (VPN Consortium, 6-02)

Wireless:

• QoS Implementation for MPLS-based Wireless Networks - Discussions of how to provide QoS for MPLS-over-Wireless