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LSP State Reporting Extensions in Path Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP)
draft-sidor-pce-lsp-state-reporting-extensions-01

Document Type Active Internet-Draft (individual)
Authors Samuel Sidor , Zafar Ali , Cheng Li , Mike Koldychev
Last updated 2024-11-04
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draft-sidor-pce-lsp-state-reporting-extensions-01
PCE Working Group                                               S. Sidor
Internet-Draft                                                    Z. Ali
Intended status: Standards Track                     Cisco Systems, Inc.
Expires: 8 May 2025                                                C. Li
                                                     Huawei Technologies
                                                            M. Koldychev
                                                       Ciena Corporation
                                                         4 November 2024

LSP State Reporting Extensions in Path Computation Element Communication
                            Protocol (PCEP)
           draft-sidor-pce-lsp-state-reporting-extensions-01

Abstract

   Path Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP) is a protocol
   defined in multiple RFCs for enabling communication between Path
   Computation Elements (PCEs) and Path Computation Clients (PCCs).

   Although PCEP defines various LSP identifiers, attributes, and
   constraints, there are operational attributes available on the PCC
   that can enhance path computation and improve the debugging
   experience, which are not currently supported in PCEP.

   This document proposes extensions to PCEP to include:

   *  Support for explicit or dynamic path types

   *  Mechanisms to mark LSPs as eligible for use as transit LSPs

   *  A fallback to Binding label/Segment Identifier (SID) allocation by
      the PCC when the binding value specified by the PCE is unavailable

   These extensions aim to address the existing gaps and enhance the
   overall functionality and operational efficiency of PCEP.

Requirements Language

   The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
   "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and
   "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in BCP
   14 [RFC2119] [RFC8174] when, and only when, they appear in all
   capitals, as shown here.

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Status of This Memo

   This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
   provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.

   Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
   Task Force (IETF).  Note that other groups may also distribute
   working documents as Internet-Drafts.  The list of current Internet-
   Drafts is at https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/.

   Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
   and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
   time.  It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
   material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."

   This Internet-Draft will expire on 8 May 2025.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2024 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (https://trustee.ietf.org/
   license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document.
   Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
   and restrictions with respect to this document.  Code Components
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   described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are
   provided without warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.

Table of Contents

   1.  Introduction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
   2.  Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
   3.  Overview of Extensions to PCEP  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     3.1.  STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV Flag  . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     3.2.  LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
     3.3.  TE-PATH-BINDING TLV Flag  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
   4.  Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5
     4.1.  Binding Label/SID Dynamic Fallback  . . . . . . . . . . .   5
     4.2.  Explicit or Dynamic Path  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
   5.  Manageability Considerations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     5.1.  Control of Function and Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     5.2.  Information and Data Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
     5.3.  Verify Correct Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     5.4.  Impact On Network Operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
   6.  Implementation Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

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   7.  Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
   8.  IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
     8.1.  STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV Flag  . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     8.2.  TE-PATH-BINDING TLV Flag  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
     8.3.  LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV Flags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
   9.  References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     9.1.  Normative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     9.2.  Informative References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
   Appendix A.  Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
   Authors' Addresses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11

1.  Introduction

   A Stateful Path Computation Element (PCE) maintains comprehensive
   information on the current network state, including computed Label
   Switched Paths (LSPs), reserved network resources, and the pending
   path computation requests.  This information is critical for
   computing paths for traffic-engineering LSPs and any associated or
   dependent LSPs.

   [RFC9604] outlines the usage of Binding labels/ Segment Identifiers
   (SID) usage for an RSVP-TE-signaled Label Switched Paths (LSPs) and
   Segment-routing Traffic Engineering paths.  It specifies the
   possibility of a PCE explicitly requesting the allocation of a
   specific binding value by a PCC.  However, [RFC9604] only considers
   the option of rejecting entire request if the specified binding value
   is unavailable, but section 6.2 of [RFC9256] allows also fallback to
   a dynamically allocated binding value.  This document introduces the
   possibility for a PCC to accept such request and include originally
   specified binding value for which allocation failed, as well as a
   binding value allocated from the dynamic range as a fallback.

   This document specifies a set of extensions to Path Computation
   Element Communication Protocol(PCEP) to enhance the accuracy of path
   computations by considering whether the Binding label/SID of an LSP
   can be utilized in the path computation for another LSP, based on LSP
   transit eligibility, for example as described in case of LSP
   stitching in [I-D.ietf-pce-stateful-interdomain].

   Additionally, this document introduces the ability to encode
   information regarding whether a path included in an Explicit Route
   Object (ERO) was specified explicitly or it is the result of dynamic
   path computation executed by a PCE or PCC.  Such information can help
   in debuggability and can be used by other PCEs in the network to
   avoid triggering unnecessary path computations for LSPs where it is
   not intended (e.g., PCE-initiated LSPs with explicit path).

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   The mechanisms described in this document are applicable to all path
   setup types.

2.  Terminology

   The following terminologies are used in this document:

   BSID:  Binding Segment Identifier.

   ERO:  Explicit Route Object.

   IGP:  Interior Gateway Protocol.

   NAI:  Node or Adjacency Identifier.

   P2P:  Point-to-Point.

   PCE:  Path Computation Element.

   PCEP:  Path Computation Element Protocol.

   SID:  Segment Identifier.

   SR:  Segment Routing.

   SR-TE:  Segment Routing Traffic Engineering.

   LSP:  Label Switched Path.

   LSPA:  Label Switched Path Attributes.

3.  Overview of Extensions to PCEP

3.1.  STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV Flag

   A new flag is proposed in the STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV, originally
   defined in Section 5.4 of [RFC8231].

   *  F (Fallback): If set, indicates that the PCEP peer supports
      dynamic fallback to a binding value if the specific binding value
      requested by the PCE is unavailable, as detailed in Section 4.1 of
      this document.

3.2.  LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV Flags

   New flags are introduced in the LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV, which was
   initially defined in Section 3.1 of [RFC9357].

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   *  E (Explicit): If set, indicates that the path encoded in the
      Explicit Route Object (ERO) is explicitly specified and not
      dynamically computed by the PCEP peer.

   *  T (Transit Eligible): If set, indicates that the binding value of
      the LSP can be used in paths computed for other LSPs.

3.3.  TE-PATH-BINDING TLV Flag

   A new flag proposed in the TE-PATH-BINDING TLV, which was originally
   defined in Section 4 of [RFC9604].

   *  A (Allocated): If set, indicates that the binding value encoded in
      the TLV represents an allocated binding value, as described in
      Section 4.1 of this document.

4.  Operation

   The PCEP protocol extensions defined in Section 3.3 of this draft
   MUST NOT be used if one or both PCEP speakers have not indicated
   support for the extensions using the F flag in the STATEFUL-PCE-
   CAPABILITY TLV in their respective OPEN messages.

4.1.  Binding Label/SID Dynamic Fallback

   [RFC9604] specifies the possibility for a PCE to explicitly request
   the allocation of a specific binding value by a PCC.  If the
   specified binding value is unavailable, the entire request MUST be
   rejected.  However, if both PCEP peers advertised support for the F
   flag in STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV and the specified binding value
   in the PCInitiate or PCUpdate message is unavailable, the PCC MUST
   fallback to binding value allocation from the dynamic range, as
   described in Section 6.2 of [RFC9256].  Since the originally
   requested binding value and the allocated binding value are
   different, two instances of the TE-PATH-BINDING TLV MUST be included
   in the PCRpt message:

   *  A TLV instance with requested binding value with the A flag
      cleared

   *  A TLV instance with allocated binding value with the A flag set

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4.2.  Explicit or Dynamic Path

   [RFC9256] describes various types of Segment Routing (SR) Policy
   Candidate Paths and methods to identify them.  Specifically, Sections
   5.1 and 5.2 are describing explicit and dynamic candidate paths, but
   there is currently no way to encode this information in PCEP.  A
   similar limitation applies to LSPs of other path setup types.

   For instance, if an operator requests the creation of a PCE-Initiated
   Candidate Path with an Explicit Path, then such path will be encoded
   in the ERO object of the PCInitiate message sent to the PCC.  If the
   delegation of such LSP is transferred to another PCE, the new PCE
   will not know whether the path of the LSP was computed dynamically or
   explicitly specified by the operator.

   Even if similar problem does not exist for LSPs originated on the
   PCC, information about the type of path may be valuable for other
   purposes, such as debuggability.

   For LSPs initiated by PCC, the E flag value is initially set by the
   PCC in the PCRpt message and the PCE MUST set the flag value in
   PCUpdate messages for such LSP based on the last reported state.

   For PCE-initiated LSPs, the E flag value is initially set by the PCE
   in PCInitiate message but MAY be modified in the PCUpdate messages.
   The PCC MUST set the flag value in PCRpt messages for such LSP based
   on the value received from the last PCInitiate or PCUpdate message.

5.  Manageability Considerations

   All manageability requirements and considerations listed in
   [RFC5440], [RFC8231] and [RFC8281] apply to PCEP protocol extensions
   defined in this document.  In addition, requirements and
   considerations listed in this section apply.

5.1.  Control of Function and Policy

   A PCE or PCC implementation MAY allow the capability of supporting
   PCEP extensions introduced in this document to be enabled/disabled as
   part of the global configuration.

5.2.  Information and Data Models

   An implementation SHOULD allow the operator to view the capability
   defined in this document.  Sections 4.1 and 4.1.1 of
   [I-D.ietf-pce-pcep-yang] should be extended to include the capability
   introduced in Section 3.1 for the PCEP peer.

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5.3.  Verify Correct Operations

   Operation verification requirements already listed in [RFC5440],
   [RFC8231], [RFC8281] and [RFC8664] are applicable to mechanisms
   defined in this document.

5.4.  Impact On Network Operations

   The mechanisms defined in [RFC5440], [RFC8231], and [RFC8281] also
   apply to the PCEP extensions defined in this document.

6.  Implementation Status

   [Note to the RFC Editor - remove this section before publication, as
   well as remove the reference to RFC 7942.]

   This section records the status of known implementations of the
   protocol defined by this specification at the time of posting of this
   Internet-Draft, and is based on a proposal described in [RFC7942].
   The description of implementations in this section is intended to
   assist the IETF in its decision processes in progressing drafts to
   RFCs.  Please note that the listing of any individual implementation
   here does not imply endorsement by the IETF.  Furthermore, no effort
   has been spent to verify the information presented here that was
   supplied by IETF contributors.  This is not intended as, and must not
   be construed to be, a catalog of available implementations or their
   features.  Readers are advised to note that other implementations may
   exist.

   According to [RFC7942], "this will allow reviewers and working groups
   to assign due consideration to documents that have the benefit of
   running code, which may serve as evidence of valuable experimentation
   and feedback that have made the implemented protocols more mature.
   It is up to the individual working groups to use this information as
   they see fit".

7.  Security Considerations

   The security considerations described in [RFC5440], [RFC8231],
   [RFC8253], [RFC8281], [RFC8664].

8.  IANA Considerations

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8.1.  STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV Flag

   IANA maintains a registry, named "STATEFUL-PCE-CAPABILITY TLV Flag
   Field", within the "Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP) Numbers"
   registry group to manage the Flags field of the STATEFUL-PCE-
   CAPABILITY TLV.  IANA is requested to make the following assignment:

                  +======+==============+===============+
                  | Bit  | Description  | Reference     |
                  +======+==============+===============+
                  +------+--------------+---------------+
                  | TBA1 | F (Fallback) | This document |
                  +------+--------------+---------------+

                                  Table 1

8.2.  TE-PATH-BINDING TLV Flag

   IANA maintains a registry, named "TE-PATH-BINDING TLV Flag Field",
   within the "Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP) Numbers"
   registry group to manage the Flags field of the TE-PATH-BINDING TLV.
   IANA is requested to make the following assignment:

                 +======+===============+===============+
                 | Bit  | Description   | Reference     |
                 +======+===============+===============+
                 +------+---------------+---------------+
                 | TBA2 | A (Allocated) | This document |
                 +------+---------------+---------------+

                                 Table 2

8.3.  LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV Flags

   IANA maintains a registry, named "LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG TLV Flag Field",
   within the "Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP) Numbers"
   registry group to manage the Flags field of the LSP-EXTENDED-FLAG
   TLV.  IANA is requested to make the following assignment:

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              +======+======================+===============+
              | Bit  | Description          | Reference     |
              +======+======================+===============+
              +------+----------------------+---------------+
              | TBA3 | E (Explicit)         | This document |
              +------+----------------------+---------------+
              | TBA4 | T (Transit Eligible) | This document |
              +------+----------------------+---------------+

                                  Table 3

9.  References

9.1.  Normative References

   [I-D.ietf-pce-pcep-yang]
              Dhody, D., Beeram, V. P., Hardwick, J., and J. Tantsura,
              "A YANG Data Model for Path Computation Element
              Communications Protocol (PCEP)", Work in Progress,
              Internet-Draft, draft-ietf-pce-pcep-yang-26, 19 October
              2024, <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-ietf-
              pce-pcep-yang-26>.

   [I-D.ietf-pce-stateful-interdomain]
              Dugeon, O., Meuric, J., Lee, Y., and D. Ceccarelli, "PCEP
              Extension for Stateful Inter-Domain Tunnels", Work in
              Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-ietf-pce-stateful-
              interdomain-05, 5 July 2024,
              <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-ietf-pce-
              stateful-interdomain-05>.

   [RFC2119]  Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
              Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC2119, March 1997,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc2119>.

   [RFC5440]  Vasseur, JP., Ed. and JL. Le Roux, Ed., "Path Computation
              Element (PCE) Communication Protocol (PCEP)", RFC 5440,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC5440, March 2009,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc5440>.

   [RFC8174]  Leiba, B., "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC
              2119 Key Words", BCP 14, RFC 8174, DOI 10.17487/RFC8174,
              May 2017, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8174>.

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   [RFC8231]  Crabbe, E., Minei, I., Medved, J., and R. Varga, "Path
              Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP)
              Extensions for Stateful PCE", RFC 8231,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC8231, September 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8231>.

   [RFC8253]  Lopez, D., Gonzalez de Dios, O., Wu, Q., and D. Dhody,
              "PCEPS: Usage of TLS to Provide a Secure Transport for the
              Path Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP)",
              RFC 8253, DOI 10.17487/RFC8253, October 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8253>.

   [RFC8281]  Crabbe, E., Minei, I., Sivabalan, S., and R. Varga, "Path
              Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP)
              Extensions for PCE-Initiated LSP Setup in a Stateful PCE
              Model", RFC 8281, DOI 10.17487/RFC8281, December 2017,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8281>.

   [RFC8664]  Sivabalan, S., Filsfils, C., Tantsura, J., Henderickx, W.,
              and J. Hardwick, "Path Computation Element Communication
              Protocol (PCEP) Extensions for Segment Routing", RFC 8664,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC8664, December 2019,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc8664>.

   [RFC9256]  Filsfils, C., Talaulikar, K., Ed., Voyer, D., Bogdanov,
              A., and P. Mattes, "Segment Routing Policy Architecture",
              RFC 9256, DOI 10.17487/RFC9256, July 2022,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9256>.

   [RFC9357]  Xiong, Q., "Label Switched Path (LSP) Object Flag
              Extension for Stateful PCE", RFC 9357,
              DOI 10.17487/RFC9357, February 2023,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9357>.

   [RFC9604]  Sivabalan, S., Filsfils, C., Tantsura, J., Previdi, S.,
              and C. Li, Ed., "Carrying Binding Label/SID in PCE-Based
              Networks", RFC 9604, DOI 10.17487/RFC9604, August 2024,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc9604>.

9.2.  Informative References

   [RFC7942]  Sheffer, Y. and A. Farrel, "Improving Awareness of Running
              Code: The Implementation Status Section", BCP 205,
              RFC 7942, DOI 10.17487/RFC7942, July 2016,
              <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc7942>.

Appendix A.  Contributors

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   Rajesh Melarcode Venkateswaran
   Cisco Systems, Inc.
   Email: rmelarco@cisco.com

   Andrew Stone
   Nokia
   Email: andrew.stone@nokia.com

Authors' Addresses

   Samuel Sidor
   Cisco Systems, Inc.
   Eurovea Central 3.
   Pribinova 10
   811 09 Bratislava
   Slovakia
   Email: ssidor@cisco.com

   Zafar Ali
   Cisco Systems, Inc.
   Email: zali@cisco.com

   Cheng Li
   Huawei Technologies
   Huawei Campus, No. 156 Beiqing Rd.
   Beijing
   100095
   China
   Email: c.l@huawei.com

   Mike Koldychev
   Ciena Corporation
   385 Terry Fox Dr.
   Kanata Ontario K2K 0L1
   Canada
   Email: mkoldych@proton.me

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