An MPLS Multicasting Tree Model Based On Shared Tree Model

Multicasting and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) are two of the most important network technologies in nowadays Internet world. On the one hand, multicasting technology could apply copying and forwarding data packets to multi destination nodes by using specific routing method, which could in turn effectively reduce the bandwidth required comparing to deliver all those packets by unicasting scheme; on the other hand, MPLS technology could not only bring much faster data forwarding services by using labels, but alsointegrate with Resource reSerVation Protocol (RSVP) to give better Quality of Service (QoS) and even Traffic Engineering (TE).Based on their own advantages that multicasting saves bandwidth and MPLS gives better QoS and faster transmitting services, these two technologies have been both widely considered as indispensable segments for the Next Generation Network architecture. This has also brought interest into the discussions and related research about merging them together to get a new model for multicasting services.In this thesis, the mechanism and characteristics of IPv6 and multicasting was discussed in the first place as two major technologies in traditional packet switching networks, and the same with MPLS technology, in which contained QoS and TE strategy, integration with IPv4, IPv6 and DiffServ technologies. On the other hand, their advantages and disadvantages were also addressed. After that, it was researched as the main focus that the strategy of integrating IP multicasting and MPLS technology. Pros and cons about the mostly used multicasting model-Shortest Path Tree model and Shared Tree model were first discussed, then an MPLS based Multicasting Tree(MMT) model was proposed. Simulating experiments about these three models were done in OMNeT++, one of the most popular networking simulating software in the academic research world. The value of Round Trip Time and other related parameters were collected in these experiments with further analysis, according to which the final conclusion and evaluation on MMT model was made.