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.











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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











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1.  Introduction

  Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) extends MPLS to handle multiple switching
  technologies: packet switching, Layer-2 switching, TDM (Time-Division
  Multiplexing) switching, wavelength switching, and fiber switching
  (see [RFC3945]).  The Interface Switching Capability (ISC) concept is
  introduced for these switching technologies and is designated as
  follows: PSC (packet switch capable), L2SC (Layer-2 switch capable),
  TDM capable, LSC (lambda switch capable), and FSC (fiber switch
  capable).

  The representation, in a GMPLS control plane, of a switching
  technology domain is referred to as a region [RFC4206].  A switching
  type describes the ability of a node to forward data of a particular
  data plane technology, and uniquely identifies a network region.  A
  layer describes a data plane switching granularity level (e.g., VC4,
  VC-12).  A data plane layer is associated with a region in the
  control plane (e.g., VC4 is associated with TDM, MPLS is associated
  with PSC).  However, more than one data plane layer can be associated
  with the same region (e.g., both VC4 and VC12 are associated with
  TDM).  Thus, a control plane region, identified by its switching type
  value (e.g., TDM), can be sub-divided into smaller-granularity
  component networks based on "data plane switching layers".  The
  Interface Switching Capability Descriptor (ISCD) [RFC4202],
  identifying the interface switching capability (ISC), the encoding
  type, and the switching bandwidth granularity, enables the
  characterization of the associated layers.

  In this document, we define a multi-layer network (MLN) to be a
  Traffic Engineering (TE) domain comprising multiple data plane
  switching layers either of the same ISC (e.g., TDM) or different ISC
  (e.g., TDM and PSC) and controlled by a single GMPLS control plane
  instance.  We further define a particular case of MLNs.  A multi-
  region network (MRN) is defined as a TE domain supporting at least
  two different switching types (e.g., PSC and TDM), either hosted on
  the same device or on different ones, and under the control of a
  single GMPLS control plane instance.

  MLNs can be further categorized according to the distribution of the
  ISCs among the Label Switching Routers (LSRs):

  - Each LSR may support just one ISC.
    Such LSRs are known as single-switching-type-capable LSRs.  The MLN
    may comprise a set of single-switching-type-capable LSRs some of
    which support different ISCs.






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  - Each LSR may support more than one ISC at the same time.
    Such LSRs are known as multi-switching-type-capable LSRs, and can
    be further classified as either "simplex" or "hybrid" nodes as
    defined in Section 4.2.

  - The MLN may be constructed from any combination of single-
    switching-type-capable LSRs and multi-switching-type-capable LSRs.

  Since GMPLS provides a comprehensive framework for the control of
  different switching capabilities, a single GMPLS instance may be used
  to control the MLN/MRN.  This enables rapid service provisioning and
  efficient traffic engineering across all switching capabilities.  In
  such networks, TE links are consolidated into a single Traffic
  Engineering Database (TED).  Since this TED contains the information
  relative to all the different regions and layers existing in the
  network, a path across multiple regions or layers can be computed
  using this TED.  Thus, optimization of network resources can be
  achieved across the whole MLN/MRN.

  Consider, for example, a MRN consisting of packet-switch-capable
  routers and TDM cross-connects.  Assume that a packet Label Switched
  Path (LSP) is routed between source and destination packet-switch-
  capable routers, and that the LSP can be routed across the PSC region
  (i.e., utilizing only resources of the packet region topology).  If
  the performance objective for the packet LSP is not satisfied, new TE
  links may be created between the packet-switch-capable routers across
  the TDM-region (for example, VC-12 links) and the LSP can be routed
  over those TE links.  Furthermore, even if the LSP can be
  successfully established across the PSC-region, TDM hierarchical LSPs
  (across the TDM region between the packet-switch capable routers) may
  be established and used if doing so is necessary to meet the
  operator's objectives for network resource availability (e.g., link
  bandwidth).  The same considerations hold when VC4 LSPs are
  provisioned to provide extra flexibility for the VC12 and/or VC11
  layers in an MLN.

  Sections 3 and 4 of this document provide further background
  information of the concepts and motivation behind multi-region and
  multi-layer networks.  Section 5 presents detailed requirements for
  protocols used to implement such networks.

1.1.  Scope

  Early sections of this document describe the motivations and
  reasoning that require the development and deployment of MRN/MLN.
  Later sections of this document set out the required features that
  the GMPLS control plane must offer to support MRN/MLN.  There is no
  intention to specify solution-specific and/or protocol elements in



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  this document.  The applicability of existing GMPLS protocols and any
  protocol extensions to the MRN/MLN is addressed in separate documents
  [MRN-EVAL].

  This document covers the elements of a single GMPLS control plane
  instance controlling multiple layers within a given TE domain.  A
  control plane instance can serve one, two, or more layers.  Other
  possible approaches such as having multiple control plane instances
  serving disjoint sets of layers are outside the scope of this
  document.  It is most probable that such a MLN or MRN would be
  operated by a single service provider, but this document does not
  exclude the possibility of two layers (or regions) being under
  different administrative control (for example, by different Service
  Providers that share a single control plane instance) where the
  administrative domains are prepared to share a limited amount of
  information.

  For such a TE domain to interoperate with edge nodes/domains
  supporting non-GMPLS interfaces (such as those defined by other
  standards development organizations (SDOs)), an interworking function
  may be needed.  Location and specification of this function are
  outside the scope of this document (because interworking aspects are
  strictly under the responsibility of the interworking function).

  This document assumes that the interconnection of adjacent MRN/MLN TE
  domains makes use of [RFC4726] when their edges also support inter-
  domain GMPLS RSVP-TE extensions.

2.  Conventions Used in This Document

  Although this is not a protocol specification, the key words "MUST",
  "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT",
  "RECOMMENDED",  "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" are used in this document to
  highlight requirements, and are to be interpreted as described in RFC
  2119 [RFC2119].

  In the context of this document, an end-to-end LSP is defined as an
  LSP that starts in some client layer, ends in the same layer, and may
  cross one or more lower layers.  In terms of switching capabilities,
  this means that if the outgoing interface on the head-end LSR has
  interface switching capability X, then the incoming interface on the
  tail-end LSR also has switching capability X.  Further, for any
  interface traversed by the LSP at any intermediate LSR, the switching
  capability of that interface, Y, is such that Y >= X.







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2.1.  List of Acronyms

  ERO: Explicit Route Object
  FA: Forwarding Adjacency
  FA-LSP: Forwarding Adjacency Label Switched Path
  FSC: Fiber Switching Capable
  ISC: Interface Switching Capability
  ISCD: Interface Switching Capability Descriptor
  L2SC: Layer-2 Switching Capable
  LSC: Lambda Switching Capable
  LSP: Label Switched Path
  LSR: Label Switching Router
  MLN: Multi-Layer Network
  MRN: Multi-Region Network
  PSC: Packet Switching Capable
  SRLG: Shared Risk Link Group
  TDM: Time-Division Multiplexing
  TE: Traffic Engineering
  TED: Traffic Engineering Database
  VNT: Virtual Network Topology

3.  Positioning

  A multi-region network (MRN) is always a multi-layer network (MLN)
  since the network devices on region boundaries bring together
  different ISCs.  A MLN, however, is not necessarily a MRN since
  multiple layers could be fully contained within a single region.  For
  example, VC12, VC4, and VC4-4c are different layers of the TDM
  region.

3.1.  Data Plane Layers and Control Plane Regions

  A data plane layer is a collection of network resources capable of
  terminating and/or switching data traffic of a particular format
  [RFC4397].  These resources can be used for establishing LSPs for
  traffic delivery.  For example, VC-11 and VC4-64c represent two
  different layers.

  From the control plane viewpoint, an LSP region is defined as a set
  of one or more data plane layers that share the same type of
  switching technology, that is, the same switching type.  For example,
  VC-11, VC-4, and VC-4-7v layers are part of the same TDM region.  The
  regions that are currently defined are: PSC, L2SC, TDM, LSC, and FSC.
  Hence, an LSP region is a technology domain (identified by the ISC
  type) for which data plane resources (i.e., data links) are
  represented into the control plane as an aggregate of TE information





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  associated with a set of links (i.e., TE links).  For example, VC-11
  and VC4-64c capable TE links are part of the same TDM region.
  Multiple layers can thus exist in a single region network.

  Note also that the region may produce a distinction within the
  control plane.  Layers of the same region share the same switching
  technology and, therefore, use the same set of technology-specific
  signaling objects and technology-specific value setting of TE link
  attributes within the control plane, but layers from different
  regions may use different technology-specific objects and TE
  attribute values.  This means that it may not be possible to simply
  forward the signaling message between LSRs that host different
  switching technologies.  This is due to changes in some of the
  signaling objects (for example, the traffic parameters) when crossing
  a region boundary even if a single control plane instance is used to
  manage the whole MRN.  We may solve this issue by using triggered
  signaling (see Section 4.3.1).

3.2.  Service Layer Networks

  A service provider's network may be divided into different service
  layers.  The customer's network is considered from the provider's
  perspective as the highest service layer.  It interfaces to the
  highest service layer of the service provider's network.
  Connectivity across the highest service layer of the service
  provider's network may be provided with support from successively
  lower service layers.  Service layers are realized via a hierarchy of
  network layers located generally in several regions and commonly
  arranged according to the switching capabilities of network devices.

  For instance, some customers purchase Layer-1 (i.e., transport)
  services from the service provider, some Layer 2 (e.g., ATM), while
  others purchase Layer-3 (IP/MPLS) services.  The service provider
  realizes the services by a stack of network layers located within one
  or more network regions.  The network layers are commonly arranged
  according to the switching capabilities of the devices in the
  networks.  Thus, a customer network may be provided on top of the
  GMPLS-based multi-region/multi-layer network.  For example, a Layer-1
  service (realized via the network layers of TDM, and/or LSC, and/or
  FSC regions) may support a Layer-2 network (realized via ATM Virtual
  Path / Virtual Circuit (VP/VC)), which may itself support a Layer-3
  network (IP/MPLS region).  The supported data plane relationship is a
  data plane client-server relationship where the lower layer provides
  a service for the higher layer using the data links realized in the
  lower layer.






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  Services provided by a GMPLS-based multi-region/multi-layer network
  are referred to as "multi-region/multi-layer network services".  For
  example, legacy IP and IP/MPLS networks can be supported on top of
  multi-region/multi-layer networks.  It has to be emphasized that
  delivery of such diverse services is a strong motivator for the
  deployment of multi-region/multi-layer networks.

  A customer network may be provided on top of a server GMPLS-based
  MRN/MLN which is operated by a service provider.  For example, a pure
  IP and/or an IP/MPLS network can be provided on top of GMPLS-based
  packet-over-optical networks [RFC5146].  The relationship between the
  networks is a client/server relationship and, such services are
  referred to as "MRN/MLN services".  In this case, the customer
  network may form part of the MRN/MLN or may be partially separated,
  for example, to maintain separate routing information but retain
  common signaling.

3.3.  Vertical and Horizontal Interaction and Integration

  Vertical interaction is defined as the collaborative mechanisms
  within a network element that is capable of supporting more than one
  layer or region and of realizing the client/server relationships
  between the layers or regions.  Protocol exchanges between two
  network controllers managing different regions or layers are also a
  vertical interaction.  Integration of these interactions as part of
  the control plane is referred to as vertical integration.  Thus, this
  refers to the collaborative mechanisms within a single control plane
  instance driving multiple network layers that are part of the same
  region or not.  Such a concept is useful in order to construct a
  framework that facilitates efficient network resource usage and rapid
  service provisioning in carrier networks that are based on multiple
  layers, switching technologies, or ISCs.

  Horizontal interaction is defined as the protocol exchange between
  network controllers that manage transport nodes within a given layer
  or region.  For instance, the control plane interaction between two
  TDM network elements switching at OC-48 is an example of horizontal
  interaction.  GMPLS protocol operations handle horizontal
  interactions within the same routing area.  The case where the
  interaction takes place across a domain boundary, such as between two
  routing areas within the same network layer, is evaluated as part of
  the inter-domain work [RFC4726], and is referred to as horizontal
  integration.  Thus, horizontal integration refers to the
  collaborative mechanisms between network partitions and/or
  administrative divisions such as routing areas or autonomous systems.






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  This distinction needs further clarification when administrative
  domains match layer/region boundaries.  Horizontal interaction is
  extended to cover such cases.  For example, the collaborative
  mechanisms in place between two LSC areas relate to horizontal
  integration.  On the other hand, the collaborative mechanisms in
  place between a PSC (e.g., IP/MPLS) domain and a separate TDM capable
  (e.g., VC4 Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)) domain over which it
  operates are part of the horizontal integration, while it can also be
  seen as a first step towards vertical integration.

3.4.  Motivation

  The applicability of GMPLS to multiple switching technologies
  provides a unified control and management approach for both LSP
  provisioning and recovery.  Indeed, one of the main motivations for
  unifying the capabilities and operations of the GMPLS control plane
  is the desire to support multi-LSP-region [RFC4206] routing and TE
  capabilities.  For instance, this enables effective network resource
  utilization of both the Packet/Layer2 LSP regions and the TDM or
  Lambda LSP regions in high-capacity networks.

  The rationales for GMPLS-controlled multi-layer/multi-region networks
  are summarized below:

  - The maintenance of multiple instances of the control plane on
    devices hosting more than one switching capability not only
    increases the complexity of the interactions between control plane
    instances, but also increases the total amount of processing each
    individual control plane instance must handle.

  - The unification of the addressing spaces helps in avoiding multiple
    identifiers for the same object (a link, for instance, or more
    generally, any network resource).  On the other hand such
    aggregation does not impact the separation between the control
    plane and the data plane.

  - By maintaining a single routing protocol instance and a single TE
    database per LSR, a unified control plane model removes the
    requirement to maintain a dedicated routing topology per layer and
    therefore does not mandate a full mesh of routing adjacencies as is
    the case with overlaid control planes.

  - The collaboration between technology layers where the control
    channel is associated with the data channel (e.g., packet/framed
    data planes) and technology layers where the control channel is not
    directly associated with the data channel (SONET/SDH, G.709, etc.)





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    is facilitated by the capability within GMPLS to associate in-band
    control plane signaling to the IP terminating interfaces of the
    control plane.

  - Resource management and policies to be applied at the edges of such
    an MRN/MLN are made more simple (fewer control-to-management
    interactions) and more scalable (through the use of aggregated
    information).

  - Multi-region/multi-layer traffic engineering is facilitated as TE
    links from distinct regions/layers are stored within the same TE
    Database.

4.  Key Concepts of GMPLS-Based MLNs and MRNs

  A network comprising transport nodes with multiple data plane layers
  of either the same ISC or different ISCs, controlled by a single
  GMPLS control plane instance, is called a multi-layer network (MLN).
  A subset of MLNs consists of networks supporting LSPs of different
  switching technologies (ISCs).  A network supporting more than one
  switching technology is called a multi-region network (MRN).

4.1.  Interface Switching Capability

  The Interface Switching Capability (ISC) is introduced in GMPLS to
  support various kinds of switching technology in a unified way
  [RFC4202].  An ISC is identified via a switching type.

  A switching type (also referred to as the switching capability type)
  describes the ability of a node to forward data of a particular data
  plane technology, and uniquely identifies a network region.  The
  following ISC types (and, hence, regions) are defined:  PSC, L2SC,
  TDM capable, LSC, and FSC.  Each end of a data link (more precisely,
  each interface connecting a data link to a node) in a GMPLS network
  is associated with an ISC.

  The ISC value is advertised as a part of the Interface Switching
  Capability Descriptor (ISCD) attribute (sub-TLV) of a TE link end
  associated with a particular link interface [RFC4202].  Apart from
  the ISC, the ISCD contains information including the encoding type,
  the bandwidth granularity, and the unreserved bandwidth on each of
  eight priorities at which LSPs can be established.  The ISCD does not
  "identify" network layers, it uniquely characterizes information
  associated to one or more network layers.







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  TE link end advertisements may contain multiple ISCDs.  This can be
  interpreted as advertising a multi-layer (or multi-switching-
  capable) TE link end.  That is, the TE link end (and therefore the TE
  link) is present in multiple layers.

4.2.  Multiple Interface Switching Capabilities

  In an MLN, network elements may be single-switching-type-capable or
  multi-switching-type-capable nodes.  Single-switching-type-capable
  nodes advertise the same ISC value as part of their ISCD sub-TLV(s)
  to describe the termination capabilities of each of their TE link(s).
  This case is described in [RFC4202].

  Multi-switching-type-capable LSRs are classified as "simplex" or
  "hybrid" nodes.  Simplex and hybrid nodes are categorized according
  to the way they advertise these multiple ISCs:

  - A simplex node can terminate data links with different switching
    capabilities where each data link is connected to the node by a
    separate link interface.  So, it advertises several TE links each
    with a single ISC value carried in its ISCD sub-TLV (following the
    rules defined in [RFC4206]).  An example is an LSR with PSC and TDM
    links each of which is connected to the LSR via a separate
    interface.

  - A hybrid node can terminate data links with different switching
    capabilities where the data links are connected to the node by the
    same interface.  So, it advertises a single TE link containing more
    than one ISCD each with a different ISC value.  For example, a node
    may terminate PSC and TDM data links and interconnect those
    external data links via internal links.  The external interfaces
    connected to the node have both PSC and TDM capabilities.

  Additionally, TE link advertisements issued by a simplex or a hybrid
  node may need to provide information about the node's internal
  adjustment capabilities between the switching technologies supported.
  The term "adjustment" refers to the property of a hybrid node to
  interconnect the different switching capabilities that it provides
  through its external interfaces.  The information about the
  adjustment capabilities of the nodes in the network allows the path
  computation process to select an end-to-end multi-layer or multi-
  region path that includes links with different switching capabilities
  joined by LSRs that can adapt (i.e., adjust) the signal between the
  links.







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4.2.1.  Networks with Multi-Switching-Type-Capable Hybrid Nodes

  This type of network contains at least one hybrid node, zero or more
  simplex nodes, and a set of single-switching-type-capable nodes.

  Figure 1 shows an example hybrid node.  The hybrid node has two
  switching elements (matrices), which support, for instance, TDM and
  PSC switching, respectively.  The node terminates a PSC and a TDM
  link (Link1 and Link2, respectively).  It also has an internal link
  connecting the two switching elements.

  The two switching elements are internally interconnected in such a
  way that it is possible to terminate some of the resources of, say,
  Link2 and provide adjustment for PSC traffic received/sent over the
  PSC interface (#b).  This situation is modeled in GMPLS by connecting
  the local end of Link2 to the TDM switching element via an additional
  interface realizing the termination/adjustment function.  There are
  two possible ways to set up PSC LSPs through the hybrid node.
  Available resource advertisement (i.e., Unreserved and Min/Max LSP
  Bandwidth) should cover both of these methods.

                        .............................
                        : Network element           :
                        :            --------       :
                        :           |  PSC   |      :
            Link1 -------------<->--|#a      |      :
                        :           |        |      :
                        :  +--<->---|#b      |      :
                        :  |         --------       :
                        :  |        ----------      :
            TDM         :  +--<->--|#c  TDM   |     :
             +PSC       :          |          |     :
            Link2 ------------<->--|#d        |     :
                        :           ----------      :
                        :............................

                              Figure 1.  Hybrid node.

4.3.  Integrated Traffic Engineering (TE) and Resource Control

  In GMPLS-based multi-region/multi-layer networks, TE links may be
  consolidated into a single Traffic Engineering Database (TED) for use
  by the single control plane instance.  Since this TED contains the
  information relative to all the layers of all regions in the network,
  a path across multiple layers (possibly crossing multiple regions)
  can be computed using the information in this TED.  Thus,
  optimization of network resources across the multiple layers of the
  same region and across multiple regions can be achieved.



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  These concepts allow for the operation of one network layer over the
  topology (that is, TE links) provided by other network layers (for
  example, the use of a lower-layer LSC LSP carrying PSC LSPs).  In
  turn, a greater degree of control and interworking can be achieved,
  including (but not limited to):

  - Dynamic establishment of Forwarding Adjacency (FA) LSPs [RFC4206]
    (see Sections 4.3.2 and 4.3.3).

  - Provisioning of end-to-end LSPs with dynamic triggering of FA LSPs.

  Note that in a multi-layer/multi-region network that includes multi-
  switching-type-capable nodes, an explicit route used to establish an
  end-to-end LSP can specify nodes that belong to different layers or
  regions.  In this case, a mechanism to control the dynamic creation
  of FA-LSPs may be required (see Sections 4.3.2 and 4.3.3).

  There is a full spectrum of options to control how FA-LSPs are
  dynamically established.  The process can be subject to the control
  of a policy, which may be set by a management component and which may
  require that the management plane is consulted at the time that the
  FA-LSP is established.  Alternatively, the FA-LSP can be established
  at the request of the control plane without any management control.

4.3.1.  Triggered Signaling

  When an LSP crosses the boundary from an upper to a lower layer, it
  may be nested into a lower-layer FA-LSP that crosses the lower layer.
  From a signaling perspective, there are two alternatives to establish
  the lower-layer FA-LSP: static (pre-provisioned) and dynamic
  (triggered).  A pre-provisioned FA-LSP may be initiated either by the
  operator or automatically using features like TE auto-mesh [RFC4972].
  If such a lower-layer LSP does not already exist, the LSP may be
  established dynamically.  Such a mechanism is referred to as
  "triggered signaling".

4.3.2.  FA-LSPs

  Once an LSP is created across a layer from one layer border node to
  another, it can be used as a data link in an upper layer.

  Furthermore, it can be advertised as a TE link, allowing other nodes
  to consider the LSP as a TE link for their path computation
  [RFC4206].  An LSP created either statically or dynamically by one
  instance of the control plane and advertised as a TE link into the
  same instance of the control plane is called a Forwarding Adjacency
  LSP (FA-LSP).  The FA-LSP is advertised as a TE link, and that TE
  link is called a Forwarding Adjacency (FA).  An FA has the special



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  characteristic of not requiring a routing adjacency (peering) between
  its end points yet still guaranteeing control plane connectivity
  between the FA-LSP end points based on a signaling adjacency.  An FA
  is a useful and powerful tool for improving the scalability of
  GMPLS-TE capable networks since multiple higher-layer LSPs may be
  nested (aggregated) over a single FA-LSP.

  The aggregation of LSPs enables the creation of a vertical (nested)
  LSP hierarchy.  A set of FA-LSPs across or within a lower layer can
  be used during path selection by a higher-layer LSP.  Likewise, the
  higher-layer LSPs may be carried over dynamic data links realized via
  LSPs (just as they are carried over any "regular" static data links).
  This process requires the nesting of LSPs through a hierarchical
  process [RFC4206].  The TED contains a set of LSP advertisements from
  different layers that are identified by the ISCD contained within the
  TE link advertisement associated with the LSP [RFC4202].

  If a lower-layer LSP is not advertised as an FA, it can still be used
  to carry higher-layer LSPs across the lower layer.  For example, if
  the LSP is set up using triggered signaling, it will be used to carry
  the higher-layer LSP that caused the trigger.  Further, the lower
  layer remains available for use by other higher-layer LSPs arriving
  at the boundary.

  Under some circumstances, it may be useful to control the
  advertisement of LSPs as FAs during the signaling establishment of
  the LSPs [DYN-HIER].

4.3.3.  Virtual Network Topology (VNT)

  A set of one or more lower-layer LSPs provides information for
  efficient path handling in upper layer(s) of the MLN, or, in other
  words, provides a virtual network topology (VNT) to the upper layers.
  For instance, a set of LSPs, each of which is supported by an LSC
  LSP, provides a VNT to the layers of a PSC region, assuming that the
  PSC region is connected to the LSC region.  Note that a single
  lower-layer LSP is a special case of the VNT.  The VNT is configured
  by setting up or tearing down the lower-layer LSPs.  By using GMPLS
  signaling and routing protocols, the VNT can be adapted to traffic
  demands.

  A lower-layer LSP appears as a TE link in the VNT.  Whether the
  diversely-routed lower-layer LSPs are used or not, the routes of
  lower-layer LSPs are hidden from the upper layer in the VNT.  Thus,
  the VNT simplifies the upper-layer routing and traffic engineering
  decisions by hiding the routes taken by the lower-layer LSPs.
  However, hiding the routes of the lower-layer LSPs may lose important
  information that is needed to make the higher-layer LSPs reliable.



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  For instance, the routing and traffic engineering in the IP/MPLS
  layer does not usually consider how the IP/MPLS TE links are formed
  from optical paths that are routed in the fiber layer.  Two optical
  paths may share the same fiber link in the lower-layer and therefore
  they may both fail if the fiber link is cut.  Thus the shared risk
  properties of the TE links in the VNT must be made available to the
  higher layer during path computation.  Further, the topology of the
  VNT should be designed so that any single fiber cut does not bisect
  the VNT.  These issues are addressed later in this document.

  Reconfiguration of the VNT may be triggered by traffic demand
  changes, topology configuration changes, signaling requests from the
  upper layer, and network failures.  For instance, by reconfiguring
  the VNT according to the traffic demand between source and
  destination node pairs, network performance factors, such as maximum
  link utilization and residual capacity of the network, can be
  optimized.  Reconfiguration is performed by computing the new VNT
  from the traffic demand matrix and optionally from the current VNT.
  Exact details are outside the scope of this document.  However, this
  method may be tailored according to the service provider's policy
  regarding network performance and quality of service (delay,
  loss/disruption, utilization, residual capacity, reliability).

5.  Requirements

5.1.  Handling Single-Switching and Multi-Switching-Type-Capable Nodes

  The MRN/MLN can consist of single-switching-type-capable and multi-
  switching-type-capable nodes.  The path computation mechanism in the
  MLN should be able to compute paths consisting of any combination of
  such nodes.

  Both single-switching-type-capable and multi-switching-type-capable
  (simplex or hybrid) nodes could play the role of layer boundary.
  MRN/MLN path computation should handle TE topologies built of any
  combination of nodes.

5.2.  Advertisement of the Available Adjustment Resources

  A hybrid node should maintain resources on its internal links (the
  links required for vertical integration between layers).  Likewise,
  path computation elements should be prepared to use information about
  the availability of termination and adjustment resources as a
  constraint in MRN/MLN path computations.  This would reduce the
  probability that the setup of the higher-layer LSP will be blocked by
  the lack of necessary termination/adjustment resources in the lower
  layers.




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  The advertisement of a node's MRN adjustment capabilities (the
  ability to terminate LSPs of lower regions and forward the traffic in
  upper regions) is REQUIRED, as it provides critical information when
  performing multi-region path computation.

  The path computation mechanism should cover the case where the
  upper-layer links that are directly connected to upper-layer
  switching elements and the ones that are connected through internal
  links between upper-layer element and lower-layer element coexist
  (see Section 4.2.1).

5.3.  Scalability

  The MRN/MLN relies on unified routing and traffic engineering models.

  - Unified routing model: By maintaining a single routing protocol
    instance and a single TE database per LSR, a unified control plane
    model removes the requirement to maintain a dedicated routing
    topology per layer, and therefore does not mandate a full mesh of
    routing adjacencies per layer.

  - Unified TE model: The TED in each LSR is populated with TE links
    from all layers of all regions (TE link interfaces on multiple-
    switching-type-capable LSRs can be advertised with multiple ISCDs).
    This may lead to an increase in the amount of information that has
    to be flooded and stored within the network.

  Furthermore, path computation times, which may be of great importance
  during restoration, will depend on the size of the TED.

  Thus, MRN/MLN routing mechanisms MUST be designed to scale well with
  an increase of any of the following:

     - Number of nodes
     - Number of TE links (including FA-LSPs)
     - Number of LSPs
     - Number of regions and layers
     - Number of ISCDs per TE link.

  Further, design of the routing protocols MUST NOT prevent TE
  information filtering based on ISCDs.  The path computation mechanism
  and the signaling protocol SHOULD be able to operate on partial TE
  information.

  Since TE links can advertise multiple Interface Switching
  Capabilities (ISCs), the number of links can be limited (by
  combination) by using specific topological maps referred to as VNTs




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  (Virtual Network Topologies).  The introduction of virtual
  topological maps leads us to consider the concept of emulation of
  data plane overlays.

5.4.  Stability

  Path computation is dependent on the network topology and associated
  link state.  The path computation stability of an upper layer may be
  impaired if the VNT changes frequently and/or if the status and TE
  parameters (the TE metric, for instance) of links in the VNT changes
  frequently.  In this context, robustness of the VNT is defined as the
  capability to smooth changes that may occur and avoid their
  propagation into higher layers.  Changes to the VNT may be caused by
  the creation, deletion, or modification of LSPs.

  Protocol mechanisms MUST be provided to enable creation, deletion,
  and modification of LSPs triggered through operational actions.
  Protocol mechanisms SHOULD be provided to enable similar functions
  triggered by adjacent layers.  Protocol mechanisms MAY be provided to
  enable similar functions to adapt to the environment changes such as
  traffic demand changes, topology changes, and network failures.
  Routing robustness should be traded with adaptability of those
  changes.

5.5.  Disruption Minimization

  When reconfiguring the VNT according to a change in traffic demand,
  the upper-layer LSP might be disrupted.  Such disruption to the upper
  layers must be minimized.

  When residual resource decreases to a certain level, some lower-layer
  LSPs may be released according to local or network policies.  There
  is a trade-off between minimizing the amount of resource reserved in
  the lower layer and disrupting higher-layer traffic (i.e., moving the
  traffic to other TE-LSPs so that some LSPs can be released).  Such
  traffic disruption may be allowed, but MUST be under the control of
  policy that can be configured by the operator.  Any repositioning of
  traffic MUST be as non-disruptive as possible (for example, using
  make-before-break).

5.6.  LSP Attribute Inheritance

  TE link parameters should be inherited from the parameters of the LSP
  that provides the TE link, and so from the TE links in the lower
  layer that are traversed by the LSP.






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  These include:

     - Interface Switching Capability
     - TE metric
     - Maximum LSP bandwidth per priority level
     - Unreserved bandwidth for all priority levels
     - Maximum reservable bandwidth
     - Protection attribute
     - Minimum LSP bandwidth (depending on the switching capability)
     - SRLG

  Inheritance rules must be applied based on specific policies.
  Particular attention should be given to the inheritance of the TE
  metric (which may be other than a strict sum of the metrics of the
  component TE links at the lower layer), protection attributes, and
  SRLG.

  As described earlier, hiding the routes of the lower-layer LSPs may
  lose important information necessary to make LSPs in the higher-layer
  network reliable.  SRLGs may be used to identify which lower-layer
  LSPs share the same failure risk so that the potential risk of the
  VNT becoming disjoint can be minimized, and so that resource-disjoint
  protection paths can be set up in the higher layer.  How to inherit
  the SRLG information from the lower layer to the upper layer needs
  more discussion and is out of scope of this document.

5.7.  Computing Paths with and without Nested Signaling

  Path computation can take into account LSP region and layer
  boundaries when computing a path for an LSP.  Path computation may
  restrict the path taken by an LSP to only the links whose interface
  switching capability is PSC.  For example, suppose that a TDM-LSP is
  routed over the topology composed of TE links of the same TDM layer.
  In calculating the path for the LSP, the TED may be filtered to
  include only links where both end include requested LSP switching
  type.  In this way hierarchical routing is done by using a TED
  filtered with respect to switching capability (that is, with respect
  to particular layer).

  If triggered signaling is allowed, the path computation mechanism may
  produce a route containing multiple layers/regions.  The path is
  computed over the multiple layers/regions even if the path is not
  "connected" in the same layer as where the endpoints of the path
  exist.  Note that here we assume that triggered signaling will be
  invoked to make the path "connected", when the upper-layer signaling
  request arrives at the boundary node.





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  The upper-layer signaling request MAY contain an ERO (Explicit Route
  Object) that includes only hops in the upper layer; in which case,
  the boundary node is responsible for triggered creation of the
  lower-layer FA-LSP using a path of its choice, or for the selection
  of any available lower-layer LSP as a data link for the higher layer.
  This mechanism is appropriate for environments where the TED is
  filtered in the higher layer, where separate routing instances are
  used per layer, or where administrative policies prevent the higher
  layer from specifying paths through the lower layer.

  Obviously, if the lower-layer LSP has been advertised as a TE link
  (virtual or real) into the higher layer, then the higher-layer
  signaling request MAY contain the TE link identifier and so indicate
  the lower-layer resources to be used.  But in this case, the path of
  the lower-layer LSP can be dynamically changed by the lower layer at
  any time.

  Alternatively, the upper-layer signaling request MAY contain an ERO
  specifying the lower-layer FA-LSP route.  In this case, the boundary
  node MAY decide whether it should use the path contained in the
  strict ERO or re-compute the path within the lower layer.

  Even in the case that the lower-layer FA-LSPs are already
  established, a signaling request may also be encoded as a loose ERO.
  In this situation, it is up to the boundary node to decide whether it
  should create a new lower-layer FA-LSP or it should use an existing
  lower-layer FA-LSP.

  The lower-layer FA-LSP can be advertised just as an FA-LSP in the
  upper layer or an IGP adjacency can be brought up on the lower-layer
  FA-LSP.

5.8.  LSP Resource Utilization

  Resource usage in all layers should be optimized as a whole (i.e.,
  across all layers), in a coordinated manner (i.e., taking all layers
  into account).  The number of lower-layer LSPs carrying upper-layer
  LSPs should be minimized (note that multiple LSPs may be used for
  load balancing).  Lower-layer LSPs that could have their traffic
  re-routed onto other LSPs are unnecessary and should be avoided.

5.8.1.  FA-LSP Release and Setup

  If there is low traffic demand, some FA-LSPs that do not carry any
  higher-layer LSP may be released so that lower-layer resources are
  released and can be assigned to other uses.  Note that if a small
  fraction of the available bandwidth of an FA-LSP is still in use, the
  nested LSPs can also be re-routed to other FA-LSPs (optionally using



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  the make-before-break technique) to completely free up the FA-LSP.
  Alternatively, unused FA-LSPs may be retained for future use.
  Release or retention of underutilized FA-LSPs is a policy decision.

  As part of the re-optimization process, the solution MUST allow
  rerouting of an FA-LSP while keeping interface identifiers of
  corresponding TE links unchanged.  Further, this process MUST be
  possible while the FA-LSP is carrying traffic (higher-layer LSPs)
  with minimal disruption to the traffic.

  Additional FA-LSPs may also be created based on policy, which might
  consider residual resources and the change of traffic demand across
  the region.  By creating the new FA-LSPs, the network performance
  such as maximum residual capacity may increase.

  As the number of FA-LSPs grows, the residual resources may decrease.
  In this case, re-optimization of FA-LSPs may be invoked according to
  policy.

  Any solution MUST include measures to protect against network
  destabilization caused by the rapid setup and teardown of LSPs as
  traffic demand varies near a threshold.

  Signaling of lower-layer LSPs SHOULD include a mechanism to rapidly
  advertise the LSP as a TE link and to coordinate into which routing
  instances the TE link should be advertised.

5.8.2.  Virtual TE Links

  It may be considered disadvantageous to fully instantiate (i.e.,
  pre-provision) the set of lower-layer LSPs that provide the VNT since
  this might reserve bandwidth that could be used for other LSPs in the
  absence of upper-layer traffic.

  However, in order to allow path computation of upper-layer LSPs
  across the lower layer, the lower-layer LSPs may be advertised into
  the upper layer as though they had been fully established, but
  without actually establishing them.  Such TE links that represent the
  possibility of an underlying LSP are termed "virtual TE links".  It
  is an implementation choice at a layer boundary node whether to
  create real or virtual TE links, and the choice (if available in an
  implementation) MUST be under the control of operator policy.  Note
  that there is no requirement to support the creation of virtual TE
  links, since real TE links (with established LSPs) may be used.  Even
  if there are no TE links (virtual or real) advertised to the higher
  layer, it is possible to route a higher-layer LSP into a lower layer
  on the assumption that proper hierarchical LSPs in the lower layer
  will be dynamically created (triggered) as needed.



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  If an upper-layer LSP that makes use of a virtual TE link is set up,
  the underlying LSP MUST be immediately signaled in the lower layer.

  If virtual TE links are used in place of pre-established LSPs, the TE
  links across the upper layer can remain stable using pre-computed
  paths while wastage of bandwidth within the lower layer and
  unnecessary reservation of adaptation resources at the border nodes
  can be avoided.

  The solution SHOULD provide operations to facilitate the build-up of
  such virtual TE links, taking into account the (forecast) traffic
  demand and available resources in the lower layer.

  Virtual TE links can be added, removed, or modified dynamically (by
  changing their capacity) according to the change of the (forecast)
  traffic demand and the available resources in the lower layer.  It
  MUST be possible to add, remove, and modify virtual TE links in a
  dynamic way.

  Any solution MUST include measures to protect against network
  destabilization caused by the rapid changes in the VNT as traffic
  demand varies near a threshold.

  The concept of the VNT can be extended to allow the virtual TE links
  to form part of the VNT.  The combination of the fully provisioned TE
  links and the virtual TE links defines the VNT provided by the lower
  layer.  The VNT can be changed by setting up and/or tearing down
  virtual TE links as well as by modifying real links (i.e., the fully
  provisioned LSPs).  How to design the VNT and how to manage it are
  out of scope of this document.

  In some situations, selective advertisement of the preferred
  connectivity among a set of border nodes between layers may be
  appropriate.  Further decreasing the number of advertisements of the
  virtual connectivity can be achieved by abstracting the topology
  (between border nodes) using models similar to those detailed in
  [RFC4847].

5.9.  Verification of the LSPs

  When a lower-layer LSP is established for use as a data link by a
  higher layer, the LSP may be verified for correct connectivity and
  data integrity before it is made available for use.  Such mechanisms
  are data-technology-specific and are beyond the scope of this
  document, but the GMPLS protocols SHOULD provide mechanisms for the
  coordination of data link verification.





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5.10.  Management

  An MRN/MLN requires management capabilities.  Operators need to have
  the same level of control and management for switches and links in
  the network that they would have in a single-layer or single-region
  network.

  We can consider two different operational models: (1) per-layer
  management entities and (2) cross-layer management entities.

  Regarding per-layer management entities, it is possible for the MLN
  to be managed entirely as separate layers, although that somewhat
  defeats the objective of defining a single multi-layer network.  In
  this case, separate management systems would be operated for each
  layer, and those systems would be unaware of the fact that the layers
  were closely coupled in the control plane.  In such a deployment, as
  LSPs were automatically set up as the result of control plane
  requests from other layers (for example, triggered signaling), the
  management applications would need to register the creation of the
  new LSPs and the depletion of network resources.  Emphasis would be
  placed on the layer boundary nodes to report the activity to the
  management applications.

  A more likely scenario is to apply a closer coupling of layer
  management systems with cross-layer management entities.  This might
  be achieved through a unified management system capable of operating
  multiple layers, or by a meta-management system that coordinates the
  operation of separate management systems each responsible for
  individual layers.  The former case might only be possible with the
  development of new management systems, while the latter is feasible
  through the coordination of existing network management tools.

  Note that when a layer boundary also forms an administrative
  boundary, it is highly unlikely that there will be unified multi-
  layer management.  In this case, the layers will be separately
  managed by the separate administrative entities, but there may be
  some "leakage" of information between the administrations in order to
  facilitate the operation of the MLN.  For example, the management
  system in the lower-layer network might automatically issue reports
  on resource availability (coincident with TE routing information) and
  alarm events.

  This discussion comes close to an examination of how a VNT might be
  managed and operated.  As noted in Section 5.8, issues of how to
  design and manage a VNT are out of scope for this document, but it
  should be understood that the VNT is a client-layer construct built
  from server-layer resources.  This means that the operation of a VNT




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  is a collaborative activity between layers.  This activity is
  possible even if the layers are from separate administrations, but in
  this case the activity may also have commercial implications.

  MIB modules exist for the modeling and management of GMPLS networks
  [RFC4802] [RFC4803].  Some deployments of GMPLS networks may choose
  to use MIB modules to operate individual network layers.  In these
  cases, operators may desire to coordinate layers through a further
  MIB module that could be developed.  Multi-layer protocol solutions
  (that is, solutions where a single control plane instance operates in
  more than one layer) SHOULD be manageable through MIB modules.  A
  further MIB module to coordinate multiple network layers with this
  control plane MIB module may be produced.

  Operations and Management (OAM) tools are important to the successful
  deployment of all networks.

  OAM requirements for GMPLS networks are described in [GMPLS-OAM].
  That document points out that protocol solutions for individual
  network layers should include mechanisms for OAM or make use of OAM
  features inherent in the physical media of the layers.  Further
  discussion of individual-layer OAM is out of scope of this document.

  When operating OAM in a MLN, consideration must be given to how to
  provide OAM for end-to-end LSPs that cross layer boundaries (that may
  also be administrative boundaries) and how to coordinate errors and
  alarms detected in a server layer that need to be reported to the
  client layer.  These operational choices MUST be left open to the
  service provider and so MLN protocol solutions MUST include the
  following features:

  - Within the context and technology capabilities of the highest
    technology layer of an LSP (i.e., the technology layer of the first
    hop), it MUST be possible to enable end-to-end OAM on a MLN LSP.
    This function appears to the ingress LSP as normal LSP-based OAM
    [GMPLS-OAM], but at layer boundaries, depending on the technique
    used to span the lower layers, client-layer OAM operations may need
    to mapped to server-layer OAM operations.  Most such requirements
    are highly dependent on the OAM facilities of the data plane
    technologies of client and server layers.  However, control plane
    mechanisms used in the client layer per [GMPLS-OAM] MUST map and
    enable OAM in the server layer.

  - OAM operation enabled per [GMPLS-OAM] in a client layer for an LSP
    MUST operate for that LSP along its entire length.  This means that
    if an LSP crosses a domain of a lower-layer technology, the
    client-layer OAM operation must operate seamlessly within the
    client layer at both ends of the client-layer LSP.



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  - OAM functions operating within a server layer MUST be controllable
    from the client layer such that the server-layer LSP(s) that
    support a client-layer LSP have OAM enabled at the request of the
    client layer.  Such control SHOULD be subject to policy at the
    layer boundary, just as automatic provisioning and LSP requests to
    the server layer are subject to policy.

  - The status including errors and alarms applicable to a server-layer
    LSP MUST be available to the client layer.  This information SHOULD
    be configurable to be automatically notified to the client layer at
    the layer boundary and SHOULD be subject to policy so that the
    server layer may filter or hide information supplied to the client
    layer.  Furthermore, the client layer SHOULD be able to select to
    not receive any or all such information.

  Note that the interface between layers lies within network nodes and
  is, therefore, not necessarily the subject of a protocol
  specification.  Implementations MAY use standardized techniques (such
  as MIB modules) to convey status information (such as errors and
  alarms) between layers, but that is out of scope for this document.

6.  Security Considerations

  The MLN/MRN architecture does not introduce any new security
  requirements over the general GMPLS architecture described in
  [RFC3945].  Additional security considerations form MPLS and GMPLS
  networks are described in [MPLS-SEC].

  However, where the separate layers of an MLN/MRN network are operated
  as different administrative domains, additional security
  considerations may be given to the mechanisms for allowing LSP setup
  crossing one or more layer boundaries, for triggering lower-layer
  LSPs, or for VNT management.  Similarly, consideration may be given
  to the amount of information shared between administrative domains,
  and the trade-off between multi-layer TE and confidentiality of
  information belonging to each administrative domain.

  It is expected that solution documents will include a full analysis
  of the security issues that any protocol extensions introduce.

7.  Acknowledgements

  The authors would like to thank Adrian Farrel and the participants of
  ITU-T Study Group 15, Question 14 for their careful review.  The
  authors would like to thank the IESG review team for rigorous review:
  special thanks to Tim Polk, Miguel Garcia, Jari Arkko, Dan Romascanu,
  and Dave Ward.




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8.  References

8.1.  Normative References

  [RFC2119]   Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
              Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.

  [RFC3945]   Mannie, E., Ed., "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label
              Switching (GMPLS) Architecture", RFC 3945, October 2004.

  [RFC4202]   Kompella, K., Ed., and Y. Rekhter, Ed., "Routing
              Extensions in Support of Generalized Multi-Protocol Label
              Switching (GMPLS)", RFC 4202, October 2005.

  [RFC4206]   Kompella, K. and Y. Rekhter, "Label Switched Paths (LSP)
              Hierarchy with Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching
              (GMPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE)", RFC 4206, October
              2005.

  [RFC4397]   Bryskin, I. and A. Farrel, "A Lexicography for the
              Interpretation of Generalized Multiprotocol Label
              Switching (GMPLS) Terminology within the Context of the
              ITU-T's Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON)
              Architecture", RFC 4397, February 2006.

  [RFC4726]   Farrel, A., Vasseur, J.-P., and A. Ayyangar, "A Framework
              for Inter-Domain Multiprotocol Label Switching Traffic
              Engineering", RFC 4726, November 2006.

8.2.  Informative References

  [DYN-HIER]  Shiomoto, K., Rabbat, R., Ayyangar, A., Farrel, A.  and
              Z. Ali, "Procedures for Dynamically Signaled Hierarchical
              Label Switched Paths", Work in Progress, February 2008.

  [MRN-EVAL]  Le Roux, J.L., Ed., and D. Papadimitriou, Ed.,
              "Evaluation of existing GMPLS Protocols against Multi
              Layer and Multi Region Networks (MLN/MRN)", Work in
              Progress, December 2007.

  [RFC5146]   Kumaki, K., Ed., "Interworking Requirements to Support
              Operation of MPLS-TE over GMPLS Networks", RFC 5146,
              March 2008.

  [MPLS-SEC]  Fang, L., Ed., "Security Framework for MPLS and GMPLS
              Networks", Work in Progress, February 2008.





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  [RFC4802]   Nadeau, T., Ed., and A. Farrel, Ed., "Generalized
              Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Traffic Engineering
              Management Information Base", RFC 4802, February 2007.

  [RFC4803]   Nadeau, T., Ed., and A. Farrel, Ed., "Generalized
              Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Label Switching
              Router (LSR) Management Information Base", RFC 4803,
              February 2007.

  [RFC4847]   Takeda, T., Ed., "Framework and Requirements for Layer 1
              Virtual Private Networks", RFC 4847, April 2007.

  [RFC4972]   Vasseur, JP., Ed., Leroux, JL., Ed., Yasukawa, S.,
              Previdi, S., Psenak, P., and P. Mabbey, "Routing
              Extensions for Discovery of Multiprotocol (MPLS) Label
              Switch Router (LSR) Traffic Engineering (TE) Mesh
              Membership", RFC 4972, July 2007.

  [GMPLS-OAM] Nadeau, T., Otani, T. Brungard, D., and A. Farrel, "OAM
              Requirements for Generalized Multi-Protocol Label
              Switching (GMPLS) Networks", Work in Progress, October
              2007.

9.  Contributors' Addresses

  Eiji Oki
  NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories
  3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi
  Tokyo 180-8585
  Japan
  Phone: +81 422 59 3441
  EMail: [email protected]

  Ichiro Inoue
  NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories
  3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi
  Tokyo 180-8585
  Japan
  Phone: +81 422 59 3441
  EMail: [email protected]

  Emmanuel Dotaro
  Alcatel-Lucent
  Route de Villejust
  91620 Nozay
  France
  Phone: +33 1 3077 2670
  EMail: [email protected]



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RFC 5212                  MRN/MLN Requirements                 July 2008


Authors' Addresses

  Kohei Shiomoto
  NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories
  3-9-11 Midori-cho, Musashino-shi
  Tokyo 180-8585
  Japan
  EMail: [email protected]

  Dimitri Papadimitriou
  Alcatel-Lucent
  Copernicuslaan 50
  B-2018 Antwerpen
  Belgium
  Phone : +32 3 240 8491
  EMail: [email protected]

  Jean-Louis Le Roux
  France Telecom R&D
  Av Pierre Marzin
  22300 Lannion
  France
  EMail: [email protected]

  Martin Vigoureux
  Alcatel-Lucent
  Route de Villejust
  91620 Nozay
  France
  Phone: +33 1 3077 2669
  EMail: [email protected]

  Deborah Brungard
  AT&T
  Rm. D1-3C22 - 200
  S. Laurel Ave.
  Middletown, NJ 07748
  USA
  Phone: +1 732 420 1573
  EMail: [email protected]











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