Requirements for GMPLS-Based Multi-Region and Multi-Layer Networks (MRN/MLN)
RFC 5212

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Network Working Group                                        K. Shiomoto
Request for Comments: 5212                                           NTT
Category: Informational                                 D. Papadimitriou
                                                          Alcatel-Lucent
                                                             JL. Le Roux
                                                          France Telecom
                                                            M. Vigoureux
                                                          Alcatel-Lucent
                                                             D. Brungard
                                                                    AT&T
                                                               July 2008

                     Requirements for GMPLS-Based
            Multi-Region and Multi-Layer Networks (MRN/MLN)

Status of This Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   Most of the initial efforts to utilize Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) have
   been related to environments hosting devices with a single switching
   capability.  The complexity raised by the control of such data planes
   is similar to that seen in classical IP/MPLS networks.  By extending
   MPLS to support multiple switching technologies, GMPLS provides a
   comprehensive framework for the control of a multi-layered network of
   either a single switching technology or multiple switching
   technologies.

   In GMPLS, a switching technology domain defines a region, and a
   network of multiple switching types is referred to in this document
   as a multi-region network (MRN).  When referring in general to a
   layered network, which may consist of either single or multiple
   regions, this document uses the term multi-layer network (MLN).  This
   document defines a framework for GMPLS based multi-region / multi-
   layer networks and lists a set of functional requirements.

Shiomoto, et al.             Informational                      [Page 1]
RFC 5212                  MRN/MLN Requirements                 July 2008

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................3
      1.1. Scope ......................................................4
   2. Conventions Used in This Document ...............................5
      2.1. List of Acronyms ...........................................6
   3. Positioning .....................................................6
      3.1. Data Plane Layers and Control Plane Regions ................6
      3.2. Service Layer Networks .....................................7
      3.3. Vertical and Horizontal Interaction and Integration ........8
      3.4. Motivation .................................................9
   4. Key Concepts of GMPLS-Based MLNs and MRNs ......................10
      4.1. Interface Switching Capability ............................10
      4.2. Multiple Interface Switching Capabilities .................11
           4.2.1. Networks with Multi-Switching-Type-Capable
                  Hybrid Nodes .......................................12
      4.3. Integrated Traffic Engineering (TE) and Resource Control ..12
           4.3.1. Triggered Signaling ................................13
           4.3.2. FA-LSPs ............................................13
           4.3.3. Virtual Network Topology (VNT) .....................14
   5. Requirements ...................................................15
      5.1. Handling Single-Switching and
           Multi-Switching-Type-Capable Nodes ........................15
      5.2. Advertisement of the Available Adjustment Resources .......15
      5.3. Scalability ...............................................16
      5.4. Stability .................................................17
      5.5. Disruption Minimization ...................................17
      5.6. LSP Attribute Inheritance .................................17
      5.7. Computing Paths with and without Nested Signaling .........18
      5.8. LSP Resource Utilization ..................................19
           5.8.1. FA-LSP Release and Setup ...........................19
           5.8.2. Virtual TE Links ...................................20
      5.9. Verification of the LSPs ..................................21
      5.10. Management ...............................................22
   6. Security Considerations ........................................24
   7. Acknowledgements ...............................................24
   8. References .....................................................25
      8.1. Normative References ......................................25
      8.2. Informative References ....................................25
   9. Contributors' Addresses ........................................26