The MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance has approved a new Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)-over-MPLS Implementation Agreement (IA) that enables the delivery of n* 64kps (DS0), T1, E1, E3, T3 or other such private line services over an MPLS network. The new IA may be applied in the design of carrier or Provider Edge (PE) routers, multi-service edge switches and dedicated gateway equipment. The emulation method defines how the PE will map, encapsulate and tunnel TDM private line traffic over MPLS LSPs. Specifically, it defines the emulation of TDM circuits over MPLS Label Switched Paths (LSPs) by using ATM AAL1 encapsulation.
The MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance said service providers could increase their profit margins from existing voice and leased line services by employing a more efficient converged infrastructure. It as described the new Implementation Agreement as an evolutionary application of mature protocols, minimizing learning time and facilitating interworking with standard ATM-based circuit emulation systems.
More information is available online.
http://www.mplsforum.org/tech/tdm_ia_4.0.pdf
- In July, the MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance announced a new project to address FR/ATM service interworking as well as an increased focus on FR/ATM/Ethernet service interworking. These projects align with the results of a June MPLS/Frame Relay industry survey in which more than 200 service providers and vendors identified ATM/Frame Relay/Ethernet Service Interworking as the most important work area for the Alliance.