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Network Working Group A. Farrel, Ed.
Request for Comments: 5151 Old Dog Consulting
Updates: 3209, 3473 A. Ayyangar
Category: Standards Track Juniper Networks
JP. Vasseur
Cisco Systems, Inc.
February 2008
Inter-Domain MPLS and GMPLS Traffic Engineering --
Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) Extensions
Status of This Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
This document describes procedures and protocol extensions for the
use of Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE)
signaling in Multiprotocol Label Switching-Traffic Engineering
(MPLS-TE) packet networks and Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) packet and
non-packet networks to support the establishment and maintenance of
Label Switched Paths that cross domain boundaries.
For the purpose of this document, a domain is considered to be any
collection of network elements within a common realm of address space
or path computation responsibility. Examples of such domains include
Autonomous Systems, Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) routing areas,
and GMPLS overlay networks.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 1]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ....................................................3
1.1. Conventions Used in This Document ..........................3
1.2. Terminology ................................................4
2. Signaling Overview ..............................................4
2.1. Signaling Options ..........................................5
3. Procedures on the Domain Border Node ............................6
3.1. Rules on ERO Processing ....................................8
3.2. LSP Setup Failure and Crankback ...........................10
3.3. RRO Processing across Domains .............................11
3.4. Notify Message Processing .................................11
4. RSVP-TE Signaling Extensions ...................................12
4.1. Control of Downstream Choice of Signaling Method ..........12
5. Protection and Recovery of Inter-Domain TE LSPs ................13
5.1. Fast Recovery Support Using MPLS-TE Fast Reroute (FRR) ....14
5.1.1. Failure within a Domain (Link or Node Failure) .....14
5.1.2. Failure of Link at Domain Border ...................14
5.1.3. Failure of a Border Node ...........................15
5.2. Protection and Recovery of GMPLS LSPs .....................15
6. Reoptimization of Inter-Domain TE LSPs .........................16
7. Backward Compatibility .........................................17
8. Security Considerations ........................................18
9. IANA Considerations ............................................20
9.1. Attribute Flags for LSP_Attributes Object .................20
9.2. New Error Codes ...........................................20
10. Acknowledgments ...............................................21
11. References ....................................................21
11.1. Normative References ....................................21
11.2. Informative References ..................................22
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 2]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
1. Introduction
The requirements for inter-area and inter-AS (Autonomous System)
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE) are
stated in [RFC4105] and [RFC4216], respectively. Many of these
requirements also apply to Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) networks. The
framework for inter-domain MPLS-TE is provided in [RFC4726].
This document presents procedures and extensions to Resource
Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling for the
setup and maintenance of traffic engineered Label Switched Paths (TE
LSPs) that span multiple domains in MPLS-TE or GMPLS networks. The
signaling procedures described in this document are applicable to
MPLS-TE packet LSPs established using RSVP-TE ([RFC3209]) and all
LSPs (packet and non-packet) that use RSVP-TE GMPLS extensions as
described in [RFC3473].
Three different signaling methods for inter-domain RSVP-TE signaling
are identified in [RFC4726]. Contiguous LSPs are achieved using the
procedures of [RFC3209] and [RFC3473] to create a single end-to-end
LSP that spans all domains. Nested LSPs are established using the
techniques described in [RFC4206] to carry the end-to-end LSP in a
separate tunnel across each domain. Stitched LSPs are established
using the procedures of [RFC5150] to construct an end-to-end LSP from
the concatenation of separate LSPs each spanning a domain.
This document defines the RSVP-TE protocol extensions necessary to
control and select which of the three signaling mechanisms is used
for any one end-to-end inter-domain TE LSP.
For the purpose of this document, a domain is considered to be any
collection of network elements within a common realm of address space
or path computation responsibility. Examples of such domains include
Autonomous Systems, IGP areas, and GMPLS overlay networks
([RFC4208]).
1.1. Conventions Used in This Document
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [RFC2119].
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 3]
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1.2. Terminology
AS: Autonomous System.
ASBR: Autonomous System Border Router. A router used to connect
together ASs of a different or the same Service Provider via one or
more inter-AS links.
Bypass Tunnel: An LSP that is used to protect a set of LSPs passing
over a common facility.
ERO: Explicit Route Object.
FA: Forwarding Adjacency.
LSR: Label Switching Router.
MP: Merge Point. The node where bypass tunnels meet the protected
LSP.
NHOP bypass tunnel: Next-Hop Bypass Tunnel. A backup tunnel, which
bypasses a single link of the protected LSP.
NNHOP bypass tunnel: Next-Next-Hop Bypass Tunnel. A backup tunnel,
which bypasses a single node of the protected LSP.
PLR: Point of Local Repair. The ingress of a bypass tunnel.
RRO: Record Route Object.
TE link: Traffic Engineering link.
2. Signaling Overview
The RSVP-TE signaling of a TE LSP within a single domain is described
in [RFC3209] and [RFC3473]. Inter-domain TE LSPs can be supported by
one of three options as described in [RFC4726] and set out in the
next section:
- contiguous LSPs
- nested LSPs
- stitched LSPs.
In fact, as pointed out in [RFC4726], any combination of these three
options may be used in the course of an end-to-end inter-domain LSP.
That is, the options should be considered as per-domain transit
options so that an end-to-end inter-domain LSP that starts in domain
A, transits domains B, C, and D, and ends in domain E might use an
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 4]
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LSP that runs contiguously from the ingress in domain A, through
domain B to the border with domain C. Domain C might be transited
using the nested LSP option to reach the border with domain D, and
domain D might be transited using the stitched LSP option to reach
the border with domain E, from where a normal LSP runs to the egress.
This document describes the RSVP-TE signaling extensions required to
select and control which of the three signaling mechanisms is used.
The specific protocol extensions required to signal each LSP type are
described in other documents and are out of scope for this document.
Similarly, the routing extensions and path computation techniques
necessary for the establishment of inter-domain LSPs are out of
scope. An implementation of a transit LSR is unaware of the options
for inter-domain TE LSPs since it sees only TE LSPs. An
implementation of a domain border LSR has to decide what mechanisms
of inter-domain TE LSP support to include, but must in any case
support contiguous inter-domain TE LSPs since this is the default
mode of operation for RSVP-TE. Failure to support either or both of
nested LSPs or stitched LSPs, restricts the operators options, but
does not prevent the establishment of inter-domain TE LSPs.
2.1. Signaling Options
There are three ways in which an RSVP-TE LSP could be signaled across
multiple domains:
Contiguous
A contiguous TE LSP is a single TE LSP that is set up across
multiple domains using RSVP-TE signaling procedures described in
[RFC3209] and [RFC3473]. No additional TE LSPs are required to
create a contiguous TE LSP, and the same RSVP-TE information for
the TE LSP is maintained along the entire LSP path. In
particular, the TE LSP has the same RSVP-TE session and LSP ID at
every LSR along its path.
Nested
One or more TE LSPs may be nested within another TE LSP as
described in [RFC4206]. This technique can be used to nest one or
more inter-domain TE LSPs into an intra-domain hierarchical LSP
(H-LSP). The label stacking construct is used to achieve nesting
in packet networks. In the rest of this document, the term H-LSP
is used to refer to an LSP that allows other LSPs to be nested
within it. An H-LSP may be advertised as a TE link within the
same instance of the routing protocol as was used to advertise the
TE links from which it was created, in which case it is a
Forwarding Adjacency (FA) [RFC4206].
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 5]
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Stitched
The concept of LSP stitching as well as the required signaling
procedures are described in [RFC5150]. This technique can be used
to stitch together shorter LSPs (LSP segments) to create a single,
longer LSP. The LSP segments of an inter-domain LSP may be
intra-domain LSPs or inter-domain LSPs.
The process of stitching in the data plane results in a single,
end-to-end contiguous LSP. But in the control plane, each segment
is signaled as a separate LSP (with distinct RSVP sessions) and
the end-to-end LSP is signaled as yet another LSP with its own
RSVP session. Thus, the control plane operation for LSP stitching
is very similar to that for nesting.
An end-to-end inter-domain TE LSP may be achieved using one or more
of the signaling techniques described. The choice is a matter of
policy for the node requesting LSP setup (the ingress) and policy for
each successive domain border node. On receipt of an LSP setup
request (RSVP-TE Path message) for an inter-domain TE LSP, the
decision of whether to signal the LSP contiguously or whether to nest
or stitch it to another TE LSP depends on the parameters signaled
from the ingress node and on the configuration of the local node.
The stitching segment LSP or H-LSP used to cross a domain may be
pre-established or signaled dynamically based on the demand caused by
the arrival of the inter-domain TE LSP setup request.
3. Procedures on the Domain Border Node
Whether an inter-domain TE LSP is contiguous, nested, or stitched is
limited by the signaling methods supported by or configured on the
intermediate nodes. It is usually the domain border nodes where this
restriction applies since other transit nodes are oblivious to the
mechanism in use. The ingress of the LSP may further restrict the
choice by setting parameters in the Path message when it is signaled.
When a domain border node receives the RSVP Path message for an
inter-domain TE LSP setup, it MUST carry out the following procedures
before it can forward the Path message to the next node along the
path:
1. Apply policies for the domain and the domain border node.
These policies may restrict the establishment of inter-domain
TE LSPs. In case of a policy failure, the node SHOULD fail
the setup and send a PathErr message with error code "Policy
control failure"/ "Inter-domain policy failure".
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 6]
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2. Determine the signaling method to be used to cross the domain.
If the ingress node of the inter-domain TE LSP has specified
restrictions on the methods to be used, these MUST be adhered
to. Within the freedom allowed by the ingress node, the
domain border node MAY choose any method according to local
configuration and policies. If no resultant signaling method
is available or allowed, the domain border node MUST send a
PathErr message with an error code as described in Section
4.1.
Thus, for example, an ingress may request a contiguous LSP
because it wishes to exert maximal control over the LSP's path
and to control when reoptimization takes place. But the
operator of a transit domain may decide (for example) that
only LSP stitching is allowed for exactly the reason that it
gives the operator the chance to reoptimize their own domain
under their own control. In this case, the policy applied at
the entry to the transit domain will result in the return of a
PathErr message and the ingress has a choice to:
- find another path avoiding the transit domain,
- relax his requirements, or
- fail to provide the service.
3. Carry out ERO procedures as described in Section 3 in addition
to the procedures in [RFC3209] and [RFC3473].
4. Perform any path computations as required to determine the
path across the domain and potentially to select the exit
point from the domain.
The path computation procedure is outside the scope of this
document. A path computation option is specified in
[RFC5152], and another option is to use a Path Computation
Element (PCE) [RFC4655].
4a. In the case of nesting or stitching, either find an
existing intra-domain TE LSP to carry the inter-domain TE
LSP or signal a new one, depending on local policy.
In the event of a path computation failure, a PathErr message
SHOULD be sent with error code "Routing Problem" using an
error value selected according to the reason for computation
failure. A domain border node MAY opt to silently discard the
Path message in this case as described in Section 8.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 7]
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In the event of the receipt of a PathErr message reporting signaling
failure from within the domain or reported from a downstream domain,
the domain border node MAY apply crankback procedures as described in
Section 3.2. If crankback is not applied, or is exhausted, the
border node MUST continue with PathErr processing as described in
[RFC3209] and [RFC3473].
In the event of successful processing of a Path or Resv message, the
domain border node MUST carry out RRO procedures as described in
Section 3.3.
3.1. Rules on ERO Processing
The ERO that a domain border node receives in the Path message was
supplied by the ingress node of the TE LSP and may have been updated
by other nodes (for example, other domain border nodes) as the Path
message was propagated. The content of the ERO depends on several
factors including:
- the path computation techniques used,
- the degree of TE visibility available to the nodes performing path
computation, and
- the policy at the nodes creating/modifying the ERO.
In general, H-LSPs and LSP segments are used between domain border
nodes, but there is no restriction on the use of such LSPs to span
multiple hops entirely within a domain. Therefore, the discussion
that follows may be equally applied to any node within a domain
although the term "domain border node" continues to be used for
clarity.
When a Path message reaches the domain border node, the following
rules apply for ERO processing and for further signaling.
1. If there are any policies related to ERO processing for the
LSP, they MUST be applied and corresponding actions MUST be
taken. For example, there might be a policy to reject EROs
that identify nodes within the domain. In case of
inter-domain LSP setup failures due to policy failures related
to ERO processing, the node SHOULD issue a PathErr with error
code "Policy control failure"/"Inter-domain explicit route
rejected", but MAY be configured to silently discard the Path
message or to return a different error code for security
reasons.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 8]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
2. Section 8.2 of [RFC4206] describes how a node at the edge of a
region processes the ERO in the incoming Path message and uses
this ERO, to either find an existing H-LSP or signal a new
H-LSP using the ERO hops. This process includes adjusting the
ERO before sending the Path message to the next hop. These
procedures MUST be followed for nesting or stitching of
inter-domain TE LSPs.
3. If an ERO subobject identifies a TE link formed by the
advertisement of an H-LSP or LSP segment (whether numbered or
unnumbered), contiguous signaling MUST NOT be used. The node
MUST use either nesting or stitching according to the
capabilities of the LSP that forms the TE link, the parameters
signaled in the Path message, and local policy. If there is a
conflict between the capabilities of the LSP that forms the TE
link indicated in the ERO and the parameters on the Path
message, the domain border node SHOULD send a PathErr with
error code "Routing Problem"/"ERO conflicts with inter-domain
signaling method", but MAY be configured to silently discard
the Path message or to return a different error code for
security reasons.
4. An ERO in a Path message received by a domain border node may
have a loose hop as the next hop. This may be an IP address
or an AS number. In such cases, the ERO MUST be expanded to
determine the path to the next hop using some form of path
computation that may, itself, generate loose hops.
5. In the absence of any ERO subobjects beyond the local domain
border node, the LSP egress (the destination encoded in the
RSVP Session object) MUST be considered as the next loose hop
and rule 4 applied.
6. In the event of any other failures processing the ERO, a
PathErr message SHOULD be sent as described in [RFC3209] or
[RFC3473], but a domain border router MAY be configured to
silently discard the Path message or to return a different
error code for security reasons.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 9]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
3.2. LSP Setup Failure and Crankback
When an error occurs during LSP setup, a PathErr message is sent back
towards the LSP ingress node to report the problem. If the LSP
traverses multiple domains, this PathErr will be seen successively by
each domain border node.
Domain border nodes MAY apply local policies to restrict the
propagation of information about the contents of the domain. For
example, a domain border node MAY replace the information in a
PathErr message that indicates a specific failure at a specific node
with information that reports a more general error with the entire
domain. These procedures are similar to those described for the
borders of overlay networks in [RFC4208].
However:
- A domain border node MUST NOT suppress the propagation of a PathErr
message except to attempt rerouting as described below.
- Nodes other than domain border nodes SHOULD NOT modify the contents
of a PathErr message.
- Domain border nodes SHOULD NOT modify the contents of a PathErr
message unless domain confidentiality is a specific requirement.
Domain border nodes provide an opportunity for crankback rerouting
[RFC4920]. On receipt of a PathErr message generated because of an
LSP setup failure, a domain border node MAY hold the PathErr and make
further attempts to establish the LSP if allowed by local policy and
by the parameters signaled on the Path message for the LSP. Such
attempts might involve the computation of alternate routes through
the domain, or the selection of different downstream domains. If a
subsequent attempt is successful, the domain border router MUST
discard the held PathErr message, but if all subsequent attempts are
unsuccessful, the domain border router MUST send the PathErr upstream
toward the ingress node. In this latter case, the domain border
router MAY change the information in the PathErr message to provide
further crankback details and information aggregation as described in
[RFC4920].
Crankback rerouting MAY also be used to handle the failure of LSPs
after they have been established [RFC4920].
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 10]
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3.3. RRO Processing across Domains
[RFC3209] defines the RRO as an optional object used for loop
detection and for providing information about the hops traversed by
LSPs.
As described for overlay networks in [RFC4208], a domain border node
MAY filter or modify the information provided in an RRO for
confidentiality reasons according to local policy. For example, a
series of identifiers of hops within a domain MAY be replaced with
the domain identifier (such as the AS number) or be removed entirely
leaving just the domain border nodes.
Note that a domain border router MUST NOT mask its own presence, and
MUST include itself in the RRO.
Such filtering of RRO information does not hamper the working of the
signaling protocol, but the subsequent information loss may render
management diagnostic procedures inoperable or at least make them
more complicated, requiring the coordination of administrators of
multiple domains.
Similarly, protocol procedures that depend on the presence of RRO
information may become inefficient. For example, the Fast Reroute
procedures defined in [RFC4090] use information in the RRO to
determine the labels to use and the downstream MP.
3.4. Notify Message Processing
Notify messages are introduced in [RFC3473]. They may be sent direct
rather than hop-by-hop, and so may speed the propagation of error
information. If a domain border router is interested in seeing such
messages (for example, to enable it to provide protection switching),
it is RECOMMENDED that the domain border router update the Notify
Request objects in the Path and Resv messages to show its own address
following the procedures of [RFC3473].
Note that the replacement of a Notify Recipient in the Notify Request
object means that some Notify messages (for example, those intended
for delivery to the ingress LSR) may need to be examined, processed,
and forwarded at domain borders. This is an obvious trade-off issue
as the ability to handle notifiable events locally (i.e., within the
domain) may or may not outweigh the cost of processing and forwarding
Notify messages beyond the domain. Observe that the cost increases
linearly with the number of domains in use.
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Also note that, as described in Section 8, a domain administrator may
wish to filter or modify Notify messages that are generated within a
domain in order to preserve security or confidentiality of network
information. This is most easily achieved if the Notify messages are
sent via the domain borders.
4. RSVP-TE Signaling Extensions
The following RSVP-TE signaling extensions are defined to enable
inter-domain LSP setup.
4.1. Control of Choice of Signaling Method
In many network environments, there may be a network-wide policy that
determines which one of the three inter-domain LSP techniques is
used. In these cases, no protocol extensions are required.
However, in environments that support more than one technique, an
ingress node may wish to constrain the choice made by domain border
nodes for each inter-domain TE LSP that it originates.
[RFC4420] defines the LSP_Attributes object that can be used to
signal required attributes of an LSP. The Attributes Flags TLV
includes Boolean flags that define individual attributes.
This document defines a new bit in the TLV that can be set by the
ingress node of an inter-domain TE LSP to restrict the intermediate
nodes to using contiguous signaling:
Contiguous LSP bit (bit number assignment in Section 9.1)
This flag is set by the ingress node that originates a Path message
to set up an inter-domain TE LSP if it requires that the contiguous
LSP technique is used. This flag bit is only to be used in the
Attributes Flags TLV.
When a domain border LSR receives a Path message containing this bit
set (one), the node MUST NOT perform stitching or nesting in support
of the inter-domain TE LSP being set up. When this bit is clear
(zero), a domain border LSR MAY perform stitching or nesting
according to local policy.
This bit MUST NOT be modified by any transit node.
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An intermediate node that supports the LSP_Attributes object and the
Attributes Flags TLV, and also recognizes the "Contiguous LSP" bit,
but cannot support contiguous TE LSPs, MUST send a Path Error message
with an error code "Routing Problem"/"Contiguous LSP type not
supported" if it receives a Path message with this bit set.
If an intermediate node receiving a Path message with the "Contiguous
LSP" bit set in the Flags field of the LSP_Attributes, recognizes the
object, the TLV, and the bit and also supports the desired contiguous
LSP behavior, then it MUST signal a contiguous LSP. If the node is a
domain border node, or if the node expands a loose hop in the ERO, it
MUST include an RRO Attributes subobject in the RRO of the
corresponding Resv message (if such an object is present) with the
"Contiguous LSP" bit set to report its behavior.
Domain border LSRs MUST support and act on the setting of the
"Contiguous LSP" flag.
However, if the intermediate node supports the LSP_Attributes object
but does not recognize the Attributes Flags TLV, or supports the TLV
but does not recognize this "Contiguous LSP" bit, then it MUST
forward the object unmodified.
The choice of action by an ingress node that receives a PathErr when
requesting the use of a contiguous LSP is out of the scope of this
document, but may include the computation of an alternate path.
5. Protection and Recovery of Inter-Domain TE LSPs
The procedures described in Sections 3 and 4 MUST be applied to all
inter-domain TE LSPs, including bypass tunnels, detour LSPs
[RFC4090], and segment recovery LSPs [RFC4873]. This means that
these LSPs will also be subjected to ERO processing, policies, path
computation, etc.
Note also that the paths for these backup LSPs need to be either
pre-configured, computed, and signaled with the protected LSP or
computed on-demand at the PLR. Just as with any inter-domain TE LSP,
the ERO may comprise strict or loose hops and will depend on the TE
visibility of the computation point into the subsequent domain.
If loose hops are present in the path of the backup LSP, ERO
expansion will be required at some point along the path: probably at
a domain border node. In order that the backup path remains disjoint
from the protected LSP(s) the node performing the ERO expansion must
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be provided with the path of the protected LSPs between the PLR and
the MP. This information can be gathered from the RROs of the
protected LSPs and is signaled in the DETOUR object for Fast Reroute
[RFC4090] and uses route exclusion [RFC4874] for other protection
schemes.
5.1. Fast Recovery Support Using MPLS-TE Fast Reroute (FRR)
[RFC4090] describes two methods for local protection for a packet TE
LSP in case of link, Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG), or node failure.
This section describes how these mechanisms work with the proposed
signaling solutions for inter-domain TE LSP setup.
5.1.1. Failure within a Domain (Link or Node Failure)
The mode of operation of MPLS-TE Fast Reroute to protect a
contiguous, stitched, or nested TE LSP within a domain is identical
to the existing procedures described in [RFC4090]. Note that, in the
case of nesting or stitching, the end-to-end LSP is automatically
protected by the protection operation performed on the H-LSP or
stitching segment LSP.
No protocol extensions are required.
5.1.2. Failure of a Link at a Domain Border
This case arises where two domains are connected by a TE link. In
this case, each domain has its own domain border node, and these two
nodes are connected by the TE link. An example of this case is where
the ASBRs of two ASs are connected by a TE link.
A contiguous LSP can be backed up using any PLR and MP, but if the
LSP uses stitching or nesting in either of the connected domains, the
PLR and MP MUST be domain border nodes for those domains. It will be
usual to attempt to use the local (connected by the failed link)
domain border nodes as the PLR and MP.
To protect an inter-domain link with MPLS-TE Fast Reroute, a set of
backup tunnels must be configured or dynamically computed between the
PLR and MP such that they are diversely routed from the protected
inter-domain link and the protected inter-domain LSPs.
Each protected inter-domain LSP using the protected inter-domain TE
link must be assigned to an NHOP bypass tunnel that is diverse from
the protected LSP. Such an NHOP bypass tunnel can be selected by
analyzing the RROs in the Resv messages of the available bypass
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tunnels and the protected TE LSP. It may be helpful to this process
if the extensions defined in [RFC4561] are used to clearly
distinguish nodes and links in the RROs.
5.1.3. Failure of a Border Node
Two border node failure cases exist. If the domain border falls on a
link as described in the previous section, the border node at either
end of the link may fail. Alternatively, if the border falls on a
border node (as is the case with IGP areas), that single border node
may fail.
It can be seen that if stitching or nesting is used, the failed node
will be the start or end (or both) of a stitching segment LSP or
H-LSP, in which case protection must be provided to the far end of
the stitching segment or H-LSP. Thus, where one of these two
techniques is in use, the PLR will be the upstream domain entry point
in the case of the failure of the domain exit point, and the MP will
be the downstream domain exit point in the case of the failure of the
domain entry point. Where the domain border falls at a single domain
border node, both cases will apply.
If the contiguous LSP mechanism is in use, normal selection of the
PLR and MP can be applied, and any node within the domains may be
used to fill these roles.
As before, selection of a suitable backup tunnel (in this case, an
NNHOP backup) must consider the paths of the backed-up LSPs and the
available NNHOP tunnels by examination of their RROs.
Note that where the PLR is not immediately upstream of the failed
node, error propagation time may be delayed unless some mechanism
such as [BFD-MPLS] is implemented or unless direct reporting, such as
through the GMPLS Notify message [RFC3473], is employed.
5.2. Protection and Recovery of GMPLS LSPs
[RFC4873] describes GMPLS-based segment recovery. This allows
protection against a span failure, a node failure, or failure over
any particular portion of a network used by an LSP.
The domain border failure cases described in Section 5.1 may also
occur in GMPLS networks (including packet networks) and can be
protected against using segment protection without any additional
protocol extensions.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 15]
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Note that if loose hops are used in the construction of the working
and protection paths signaled for segment protection, then care is
required to keep these paths disjoint. If the paths are signaled
incrementally, then route exclusion [RFC4874] may be used to ensure
that the paths are disjoint. Otherwise, a coordinated path
computation technique such as that offered by cooperating Path
Computation Elements [RFC4655] can provide suitable paths.
6. Reoptimization of Inter-Domain TE LSPs
Reoptimization of a TE LSP is the process of moving the LSP from the
current path to a more preferred path. This involves the
determination of the preferred path and make-before-break signaling
procedures [RFC3209] to minimize traffic disruption.
Reoptimization of an inter-domain TE LSP may require a new path in
more than one domain.
The nature of the inter-domain LSP setup mechanism defines how
reoptimization can be applied. If the LSP is contiguous, then the
signaling of the make-before-break process MUST be initiated by the
ingress node as defined in [RFC3209]. But if the reoptimization is
limited to a change in path within one domain (that is, if there is
no change to the domain border nodes) and nesting or stitching is in
use, the H-LSP or stitching segment may be independently reoptimized
within the domain without impacting the end-to-end LSP.
In all cases, however, the ingress LSR may wish to exert control and
coordination over the reoptimization process. For example, a transit
domain may be aware of the potential for reoptimization, but not
bother because it is not worried by the level of service being
provided across the domain. But the cumulative effect on the
end-to-end LSP may cause the head-end to worry and trigger an
end-to-end reoptimization request (of course, the transit domain may
choose to ignore the request).
Another benefit of end-to-end reoptimization over per-domain
reoptimization for non-contiguous inter-domain LSPs is that
per-domain reoptimization is restricted to preserve the domain entry
and exit points (since to do otherwise would break the LSP!). But
end-to-end reoptimization is more flexible and can select new domain
border LSRs.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 16]
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There may be different cost-benefit analysis considerations between
end-to-end reoptimization and per-domain reoptimization. The greater
the number of hops involved in the reoptimization, the higher the
risk of traffic disruption. The shorter the segment reoptimized, the
lower the chance of making a substantial improvement on the quality
of the end-to-end LSP. Administrative policies should be applied in
this area with care.
[RFC4736] describes mechanisms that allow:
- The ingress node to request each node with a loose next hop to
re-evaluate the current path in order to search for a more optimal
path.
- A node with a loose next hop to inform the ingress node that a
better path exists.
These mechanisms SHOULD be used for reoptimization of a contiguous
inter-domain TE LSP.
Note that end-to-end reoptimization may involve a non-local
modification that might select new entry / exit points. In this
case, we can observe that local reoptimization is more easily and
flexibly achieved using nesting or stitching. Further, the "locality
principle" (i.e., the idea of keeping information only where it is
needed) is best achieved using stitching or nesting. That said, a
contiguous LSP can easily be modified to take advantage of local
reoptimizations (as defined in [RFC4736]) even if this would require
the dissemination of information and the invocation of signaling
outside the local domain.
7. Backward Compatibility
The procedures in this document are backward compatible with existing
deployments.
- Ingress LSRs are not required to support the extensions in this
document to provision intra-domain LSPs. The default behavior by
transit LSRs that receive a Path message that does not have the
"Contiguous LSP" bit set in the Attributes Flags TLV of the
LSP_Attributes object or does not even have the object present is
to allow all modes of inter-domain TE LSP, so back-level ingress
LSRs are able to initiate inter-domain LSPs.
- Transit, non-border LSRs are not required to perform any special
processing and will pass the LSP_Attributes object onwards
unmodified according to the rules of [RFC2205]. Thus, back-level
transit LSRs are fully supported.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 17]
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- Domain border LSRs will need to be upgraded before inter-domain TE
LSPs are allowed. This is because of the need to establish policy,
administrative, and security controls before permitting
inter-domain LSPs to be signaled across a domain border. Thus,
legacy domain border LSRs do not need to be considered.
The RRO additions in this document are fully backward compatible.
8. Security Considerations
RSVP does not currently provide for automated key management.
[RFC4107] states a requirement for mandatory automated key management
under certain situations. There is work starting in the IETF to
define improved authentication including automated key management for
RSVP. Implementations and deployments of RSVP should pay attention
to any capabilities and requirements that are outputs from this
ongoing work.
A separate document is being prepared to examine the security aspects
of RSVP-TE signaling with special reference to multi-domain scenarios
[MPLS-SEC]. [RFC4726] provides an overview of the requirements for
security in an MPLS-TE or GMPLS multi-domain environment.
Before electing to utilize inter-domain signaling for MPLS-TE, the
administrators of neighboring domains MUST satisfy themselves as to
the existence of a suitable trust relationship between the domains.
In the absence of such a relationship, the administrators SHOULD
decide not to deploy inter-domain signaling, and SHOULD disable
RSVP-TE on any inter-domain interfaces.
When signaling an inter-domain RSVP-TE LSP, an operator MAY make use
of the security features already defined for RSVP-TE [RFC3209]. This
may require some coordination between the domains to share the keys
(see [RFC2747] and [RFC3097]), and care is required to ensure that
the keys are changed sufficiently frequently. Note that this may
involve additional synchronization, should the domain border nodes be
protected with FRR, since the MP and PLR should also share the key.
For an inter-domain TE LSP, especially when it traverses different
administrative or trust domains, the following mechanisms SHOULD be
provided to an operator (also see [RFC4216]):
1) A way to enforce policies and filters at the domain borders to
process the incoming inter-domain TE LSP setup requests (Path
messages) based on certain agreed trust and service
levels/contracts between domains. Various LSP attributes such as
bandwidth, priority, etc. could be part of such a contract.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 18]
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2) A way for the operator to rate-limit LSP setup requests or error
notifications from a particular domain.
3) A mechanism to allow policy-based outbound RSVP message processing
at the domain border node, which may involve filtering or
modification of certain addresses in RSVP objects and messages.
Additionally, an operator may wish to reduce the signaling
interactions between domains to improve security. For example, the
operator might not trust the neighboring domain to supply correct or
trustable restart information [RFC5063] and might ensure that the
availability of restart function is not configured in the Hello
message exchange across the domain border. Thus, suitable
configuration MUST be provided in an RSVP-TE implementation to enable
the operator to control optional protocol features that may be
considered a security risk.
Some examples of the policies described above are as follows:
A) An operator may choose to implement some kind of ERO filtering
policy on the domain border node to disallow or ignore hops
within the domain from being identified in the ERO of an
incoming Path message. That is, the policy is that a node
outside the domain cannot specify the path of the LSP inside the
domain. The domain border LSR can make implement this policy in
one of two ways:
- It can reject the Path message.
- It can ignore the hops in the ERO that lie within the
domain.
B) In order to preserve confidentiality of network topology, an
operator may choose to disallow recording of hops within the
domain in the RRO or may choose to filter out certain recorded
RRO addresses at the domain border node.
C) An operator may require the border node to modify the addresses
of certain messages like PathErr or Notify originated from hops
within the domain.
D) In the event of a path computation failure, an operator may
require the border node to silently discard the Path message
instead of returning a PathErr. This is because a Path message
could be interpreted as a network probe, and a PathErr provides
information about the network capabilities and policies.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 19]
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Note that the detailed specification of such policies and their
implementation are outside the scope of this document.
Operations, Administration, and Management (OAM) mechanisms including
[BFD-MPLS] and [RFC4379] are commonly used to verify the connectivity
of end-to-end LSPs and to trace their paths. Where the LSPs are
inter-domain LSPs, such OAM techniques MAY require that OAM messages
are intercepted or modified at domain borders, or are passed
transparently across domains. Further discussion of this topic can
be found in [INTERAS-PING] and [MPLS-SEC].
9. IANA Considerations
IANA has made the codepoint allocations described in the following
sections.
9.1. Attribute Flags for LSP_Attributes Object
A new bit has been allocated from the "Attributes Flags" sub-registry
of the "RSVP TE Parameters" registry.
Bit | Name | Attribute | Path | RRO | Reference
No | | Flags Path | Flags Resv | |
----+----------------------+------------+------------+-----+----------
4 Contiguous LSP Yes No Yes [RFC5150]
9.2. New Error Codes
New RSVP error codes/values have been allocated from the "Error Codes
and Globally-Defined Error Value Sub-Codes" sub-registry of the "RSVP
Parameters" registry.
For the existing error code "Policy control failure" (value 2), two
new error values have been registered as follows:
103 = Inter-domain policy failure
104 = Inter-domain explicit route rejected
For the existing error code "Routing Problem" (value 24), two new
error values have been registered as follows:
28 = Contiguous LSP type not supported
29 = ERO conflicts with inter-domain signaling method
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 20]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
10. Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the input and helpful comments
from Kireeti Kompella on various aspects discussed in the document.
Deborah Brungard and Dimitri Papdimitriou provided thorough reviews.
Thanks to Sam Hartman for detailed discussions of the security
considerations.
11. References
11.1. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC2205] Braden, R., Ed., Zhang, L., Berson, S., Herzog, S.,
and S. Jamin, "Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP)
-- Version 1 Functional Specification", RFC 2205,
September 1997.
[RFC3209] Awduche, D., Berger, L., Gan, D., Li, T., Srinivasan,
V., and G. Swallow, "RSVP-TE: Extensions to RSVP for
LSP Tunnels", RFC 3209, December 2001.
[RFC3473] Berger, L., Ed., "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label
Switching (GMPLS) Signaling Resource ReserVation
Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) Extensions",
RFC 3473, January 2003.
[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.
[RFC4420] Farrel, A., Ed., Papadimitriou, D., Vasseur, J.-P.,
and A. Ayyangar, "Encoding of Attributes for
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Label Switched
Path (LSP) Establishment Using Resource ReserVation
Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE)", RFC 4420,
February 2006.
[RFC5150] Ayyangar, A., Kompella, K., and JP. Vasseur, "Label
Switched Path Stitching with Generalized
Multiprotocol Label Switching Traffic Engineering
(GMPLS TE)", RFC 5150, February 2008.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 21]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
11.2. Informative References
[RFC2747] Baker, F., Lindell, B., and M. Talwar, "RSVP
Cryptographic Authentication", RFC 2747, January
2000.
[RFC3097] Braden, R. and L. Zhang, "RSVP Cryptographic
Authentication -- Updated Message Type Value", RFC
3097, April 2001.
[RFC4090] Pan, P., Ed., Swallow, G., Ed., and A. Atlas, Ed.,
"Fast Reroute Extensions to RSVP-TE for LSP Tunnels",
RFC 4090, May 2005.
[RFC4105] Le Roux, J.-L., Ed., Vasseur, J.-P., Ed., and J.
Boyle, Ed., "Requirements for Inter-Area MPLS Traffic
Engineering", RFC 4105, June 2005.
[RFC4107] Bellovin, S. and R. Housley, "Guidelines for
Cryptographic Key Management", BCP 107, RFC 4107,
June 2005.
[RFC4208] Swallow, G., Drake, J., Ishimatsu, H., and Y.
Rekhter, "Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching
(GMPLS) User-Network Interface (UNI): Resource
ReserVation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE)
Support for the Overlay Model", RFC 4208, October
2005.
[RFC4216] Zhang, R., Ed., and J.-P. Vasseur, Ed., "MPLS Inter-
Autonomous System (AS) Traffic Engineering (TE)
Requirements", RFC 4216, November 2005.
[RFC4379] Kompella, K. and G. Swallow, "Detecting Multi-
Protocol Label Switched (MPLS) Data Plane Failures",
RFC 4379, February 2006.
[RFC4561] Vasseur, J.-P., Ed., Ali, Z., and S. Sivabalan,
"Definition of a Record Route Object (RRO) Node-Id
Sub-Object", RFC 4561, June 2006.
[RFC4655] Farrel, A., Vasseur, J.-P., and J. Ash, "A Path
Computation Element (PCE)-Based Architecture", RFC
4655, August 2006.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 22]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
[RFC4726] Farrel, A., Vasseur, J.-P., and A. Ayyangar, "A
Framework for Inter-Domain Multiprotocol Label
Switching Traffic Engineering", RFC 4726, November
2006.
[RFC4736] Vasseur, JP., Ed., Ikejiri, Y., and R. Zhang,
"Reoptimization of Multiprotocol Label Switching
(MPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE) Loosely Routed Label
Switched Path (LSP)", RFC 4736, November 2006.
[RFC4873] Berger, L., Bryskin, I., Papadimitriou, D., and A.
Farrel, "GMPLS Segment Recovery", RFC 4873, May 2007.
[RFC4874] Lee, CY., Farrel, A., and S. De Cnodder, "Exclude
Routes - Extension to Resource ReserVation Protocol-
Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE)", RFC 4874, April 2007.
[RFC4920] Farrel, A., Ed., Satyanarayana, A., Iwata, A.,
Fujita, N., and G. Ash, "Crankback Signaling
Extensions for MPLS and GMPLS RSVP-TE", RFC 4920,
July 2007.
[BFD-MPLS] Aggarwal, R., Kompella, K., Nadeau, T., and G.
Swallow, "BFD For MPLS LSPs", Work in Progress,
February 2005.
[INTERAS-PING] Nadeau, T. and G. Swallow, "Detecting MPLS Data Plane
Failures in Inter-AS and inter-provider Scenarios",
Work in Progress, October 2006.
[RFC5152] Vasseur, JP., Ed., Ayyangar, A., Ed., and R. Zhang,
"A Per-Domain Path Computation Method for
Establishing Inter-Domain Traffic Engineering (TE)
Label Switched Paths (LSPs)", RFC 5152, February
2008.
[MPLS-SEC] Fang, L., Ed., Behringer, M., Callon, R., Le Roux, J.
L., Zhang, R., Knight, P., Stein, Y., Bitar, N., and
R. Graveman., "Security Framework for MPLS and GMPLS
Networks", Work in Progress, July 2007.
[RFC5063] Satyanarayana, A., Ed., and R. Rahman, Ed.,
"Extensions to GMPLS Resource Reservation Protocol
(RSVP) Graceful Restart", RFC 5063, October 2007.
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 23]
RFC 5151 Inter-Domain MPLS & GMPLS RSVP-TE Extensions February 2008
Authors' Addresses
Adrian Farrel
Old Dog Consulting
EMail: adrian@olddog.co.uk
Arthi Ayyangar
Juniper Networks
1194 N. Mathilda Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
USA
EMail: arthi@juniper.net
Jean Philippe Vasseur
Cisco Systems, Inc.
300 Beaver Brook Road
Boxborough , MA - 01719
USA
EMail: jpv@cisco.com
Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 24]
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Full Copyright Statement
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Farrel, et al. Standards Track [Page 25]