Transport MPLS Gets a Makeover

A new standard for MPLS-based packet transport technology is being developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) in conjunction with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in an effort to create a single standard that will rival PBB-TE in the next-generation packet/optical platform domain. (See A Guide to PBT/PBB-TE.) The seemingly cordial and unprecedented collaboration between the standards bodies is an important step for MPLS equipment vendors, as, until now, there have been parallel but conflicting developments ongoing within the two influential organizations that was likely to result in market confusion and interoperability issues down the line. That scenario would have weakened the case for MPLS as a transport technology, potentially handing an advantage to the PBB-TE camp. Parallel developments Until... [read full story]