Label distribution method and system for data packets in MPLS network

Abstract

The invention provides a label distribution method and a label distribution system for data packets in a multiple protocol label switching (MPLS) network in order to reduce the number of label switching paths (LSP) in an MPLS domain and consumption of system resources. The method comprises the following steps of: determining a distributed label according to elements of the data packets in an ordered label distribution control mode; distributing the same label for the data packets if the elements of the data packets are the same; and distributing different labels for the data packets if the elements of the data packets are different, wherein the data packets are a group of data packets which are processed in an equivalent mode during forwarding. Through the method and the system, the number of the LSP and label information to be stored are reduced, the system resources are saved, an MPLS forwarding table entry to be installed is reduced, a label distribution flow is simplified and the data forwarding efficiency is increased.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to label switching technology in MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) network, in particular to a method and system for distributing labels using LDP (Label Distribution Protocol). Background technique [0002] In the MPLS network, LDP is specially used to distribute labels. The main function of LDP is to divide different FECs according to the elements of FEC (a data packet, called forwarding equivalence class), and then assign different labels to different FECs. And notify the neighbor LSR (label switching device). LSRs are the nodes of the MPLS network, and LDP runs on these devices. [0003] FEC is a group of data packets processed in an equivalent manner during forwarding, and can be divided by FEC elements. FEC elements generally include routing prefixes, host addresses, next hops, etc. When using FEC elements, one or more combinations of them can be used to divide FEC. The current technology is generally divided ac...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Most of the devices in the MPLS network now support MPLS hardware forwarding. Storing label information will consume hardware resources, and hardware resources are limited. Reducing the number of allocated labels can save hardware resources.

[0011] LDP notifies the label information allocated to the FEC by sending a label mapping message. The relationship between the FEC and the label carried in the label mapping message can be N:1, that is, if the same label is allocated to N FECs, then only Only one label mapping message needs to be sent, and the allocation of different labels needs to send the same number of label mapping messages as the allocated labels, which will consume network bandwidth and increase the processing pressure of the device

[0012] Every time LDP assigns labels to FEC, MPLS forwarding entries need to be installed, and the process of multiple label assignments will be more complicated.

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