The Research And Designment On MPLS Multicast Networks

MPLS integrates the switching function of Layer2 with routing function of Layer3 in computer networks, and forwards the traffic fast using the label. MPLS is flexible and scalable as IP, can forward the traffic fast as ATM, and can provide QoS and traffic engineering services. Using MPLS can solve many problems of the traditional networks (such as the support of VPN, QoS guaranty etc.), and can also achieve many new functions (such as explicit routing, traffic engineering, etc.). MPLS is used universally in the backbone network.Multicast is a routing technique which can optimize the using of network bandwidth and reduce the traffic in backbone network significantly. The advantages of MPLS and multicast is complementary, MPLS multicast network can forward the traffic fast and efficiently. With the rapid development of mobile devices, Mobile IP technique is prevalent gradually. Thus, providing mobile multicast service based on MPLS network is of importance.The work of this paper is supported by National"863"program (2005AA121540) and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd Foundation project (YJCB2005054RE). The major achievements in the paper are as follows:Firstly, the research background and actualities of MPLS multicast are reviewed. Secondly, the architecture, concept and principle are described in detail. Thirdly, the paper analyses the problem and the current solutions of MPLS multicast, and emphases on the solution of using LDP extensions (mLDP) to setup multicast tree in MPLS network. Fourthly, we analyze the support of MPLS function by Linux kernel, and design the mLDP based on Linux kernel. Then, the integration of MPLS and MIP, the framework of the mobile multicast based on MPLS are deeply researched, and a new mobile multicast handoff mechanism is proposed. In the end, the paper summarizes the achievements of the paper, and discusses the research trend of MPLS multicast. Additionally, the proposed solution of"mobile multicast handoff mechanism based on MPLS network"has pledged the national patent protection (patent accepting No.: 200610066721.8).