The MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance has approved the I.366.2 Voice Trunking Format over MPLS Implementation Agreement (IA), which enables the transfer of compressed voice over a converged MPLS backbone using existing ATM Adaptation Layer 2 (AAL2) technology. Such voice trunking capabilities could be supported by carrier or Provider Edge (PE) routers, multi-service edge switches and dedicated gateway equipment.
Specifically, the I.366.2 Voice Trunking Format over MPLS Implementation Agreement defines MPLS transport of AAL2 Common Part Sublayer Packets (CPS-Packets). The AAL2 CPS packet handling described in ITU-T I.366.2 provides the required frame formats and procedures for carrying encoded voice, dialed digits, fax, signaling information and data. The I.336.2 mechanisms are currently used in ATM, VoDSL, and wireless telephony networks. These AAL2 mechanisms permit the suppression of transport of inactive voice channels, and additionally may use voice activity detection to take advantage of the statistical nature of voice. The use of these AAL2 mechanisms also permits the multiplexing of multiple low bit-rate channels over MPLS LSPs.
The MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance said the new IA provides an efficient means of transporting voice and
related traffic from integrated access devices and wireless telephony networks over MPLS.
http://www.mplsforum.org
- In August 2003, the MPLS/Frame Relay Alliance 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.
- In July 2003, 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.