How do you test and validate your MPLS P2MP path calculation before and after deployment?

1 What is MPLS P2MP path calculation?

MPLS P2MP path calculation is the process of finding the optimal tree structure that connects a source node (also called the root or ingress) to multiple destination nodes (also called the leaves or egresses) in a MPLS network. The tree structure is composed of a set of label switched paths (LSPs) that share some common segments and diverge at some branch points. The path calculation can be done either statically or dynamically, depending on the network requirements and the routing protocol used.

2 Why is MPLS P2MP path calculation important?

MPLS P2MP path calculation is important for several reasons. First, it affects the performance and efficiency of the multipoint services, such as multicast video, IPTV, VPN, or traffic engineering. A good path calculation can minimize the bandwidth consumption, the latency, the packet loss, and the network congestion. Second, it affects the scalability and reliability of the multipoint services. A good path calculation can support a large number of destination nodes, handle changes in the network topology, and provide fast recovery from failures. Third, it affects the security and privacy of the multipoint services. A good path calculation can prevent unauthorized access, spoofing, or interception of the traffic.

3 How to test MPLS P2MP path calculation before deployment?

Before deploying your MPLS P2MP path calculation, it's important to test it in a simulated or emulated environment to verify its correctness and functionality. To do this, you can use various tools and methods, such as ping and traceroute to check the connectivity and routing of your P2MP LSPs, label distribution protocol (LDP) to verify label assignment and forwarding, resource reservation protocol (RSVP) to check resource reservation and signaling, and multiprotocol extensions for BGP (MP-BGP) to check route advertisement and discovery. This will help ensure that your source node can reach all your destination nodes, allocate and distribute labels, request and reserve bandwidth and other resources, as well as advertise and distribute routes. Additionally, it will ensure that your destination nodes can trace back to your source node, receive and use the labels, accept and confirm the reservations, discover and select the best routes.

4 How to validate MPLS P2MP path calculation after deployment?

After deploying your MPLS P2MP path calculation, it is important to validate it in a live or production environment to measure its performance and effectiveness. Various tools and methods can be used for this purpose, such as SNMP and MIB which are standards and databases that can help monitor and collect statistics about the P2MP LSPs. NetFlow and sFlow are technologies and protocols that can help analyze and report flow data of the P2MP LSPs. IP SLA and TWAMP are techniques and protocols that can help test and benchmark the quality of service (QoS) of the P2MP LSPs. Finally, MPLS OAM is a framework and set of tools that can help troubleshoot and diagnose problems of the P2MP LSPs.

5 How to optimize MPLS P2MP path calculation for future improvement?

After validating your MPLS P2MP path calculation, you can optimize it for future improvement to enhance and maintain the quality of your multipoint services. MPLS TE can be used to allocate and manage network resources, balance traffic load, avoid congestion and increase efficiency. Additionally, MPLS FRR helps optimize fast reroute by pre-computing and pre-establishing backup paths, switching traffic to the backup paths in case of failure and reducing recovery time and packet loss. Lastly, MPLS QoS is a technique that can classify and prioritize traffic, mark and map it to different service classes, enforce service policies and guarantee service level agreements.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?