IP Infusion is preparing to add MPLS-TP (MPLS-Transport Profile) functionality to its ZebOS Network Platform software, which is widely used by network equipment manufacturers. The forthcoming MPLS-TP specification, which is expected to be finalized next year, will enable carriers to extend their core IP/MPLS network to the edge of mobile networks. MPLS-TP will enable automated maintenance, administration, provisioning and bandwidth management functions in the mobile aggregation network.
IP Infusion said its ZebOS MPLS-TP will preserve the operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) and management characteristics allowing a full end-to-end integration with existing and future IP/MPLS infrastructures. By using IP/MPLS and MPLS-TP from ZebOS, OEMs will be able to provide a consistent way of provisioning, troubleshooting and managing the networks from edge to edge.
MPLS-TP has been engineered specifically for transport networks. It is a reliable connection-oriented, packet-switched transport layer technology that is aligned with existing circuit-switched transport networking. MPLS-TP overlays on existing MPLS networks to provide:
- Standardized control plane functionality
- Advanced Quality of Service (QoS)
- End-to-end Operation, Administration and Maintenance (OAM)
- Reduced network equipment footprint
- OAM monitors and drives protection switching
- Support for existing management processes and work procedures
Initially, IP Infusion will be supporting MPLS-TP static capabilities. This will be updated to full MPLS-TP capabilities as the specification is completed.
IP Infusion has also added support for G MPLS to ZebOS, which can be used as a dynamic control plane with MPLS-TP so that the network sets up Label Switching Paths (LSPs) and PseudoWires (PWEs). GMPLS is based on the TE extensions to MPLS (MPLS-TE). It may also be used to set up the OAM function and define recovery mechanisms.
