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Implementing Cisco MPLS v2.3
Implementing Cisco MPLS (MPLS) v2.3 is part of the Cisco CCIP® certification track and reflects the latest developments in network design and technologies, using real-world scenarios to help reinforce the learning of key objectives. Since the conventional IP packet forwarding has several limitations more and more service providers are deploying Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). The MPLS is a high-performance method for forwarding packets through a network and enables routers at the edge of a network to apply simple labels to packets. This practice allows the core devices—ATM switches or existing routers in the center of the service provider core—to switch packets according to labels, with minimal lookup overhead. MPLS integrates the performance and traffic-management capabilities of data link Layer 2 with the scalability and flexibility of network Layer 3 routing.
The MPLS course introduces the concepts of MPLS and describes its implementation as well as it explains the services built on the MPLS technology, such as MPLS VPN and MPLS Traffic Engineering (MPLS-TE). Several labs enable the learners to gain practical experience with the MPLS and its applications.
Objectives
Upon finishing this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the features of MPLS
- Describe how MPLS labels are assigned and distributed
- Identify the Cisco IOS tasks and configure the command syntax necessary to implement MPLS on frame-mode Cisco IOS devices
- Describe the MPLS peer-to-peer architecture and explain the routing and packet forwarding model in this architecture
- Identify the Cisco IOS command syntax required to successfully configure, monitor, and troubleshoot VPN operations
- Identify how the Layer 3 MPLS VPN model can be used to implement managed services and Internet access
- Describe the various Internet access implementations that are available and the benefits and drawbacks of each model; configure central site Internet access using a separate VPN
- Provide an overview of MPLS TE and configure basic MPLS TE
Importance
The course is a prerequisite for anyone who needs detailed knowledge of MPLS / MPLS VPN technology and its implementation.
Audience
The primary audience for this course consists of network administrators and technicians responsible for implementing and troubleshooting basic IP MPLS- and MPLS VPN-enabled networks—Cisco CCIP® and CCIE® Service Provider candidates.
The secondary audience for this course comprises presales and postsales technical engineers responsible for designing, implementing, and troubleshooting MPLS networks or solutions based on MPLS technology.
Prerequisite Knowledge
The CCNA is requires and practical experience with deploying and operating networks based on Cisco network devices and Cisco IOS is strongly recommended. Equivalent knowledge and skills can be acquired by attending the Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) and Configuring BGP on Cisco Routers (BGP). The QoS course is highly recommended because QoS knowledge is assumed in some sections of the course.
Course Outline
MPLS Features
- Describing Basic MPLS Concepts
- Describing MPLS Labels and Label Stack
- Identifying MPLS Applications
Label Assignment and Distribution
- Discovering LDP Neighbors
- Describing Typical Label Distribution in Frame-Mode MPLS
- Describing Convergence in Frame-Mode MPLS
- Lab 2-1: Establishing the Service Provider IGP Routing Environment
Frame-Mode MPLS Implementation on Cisco IOS Platforms
- Using Cisco Express Forwarding Switching
- Configuring Frame-Mode MPLS on Cisco IOS Platforms
- Monitoring Frame-Mode MPLS on Cisco IOS Platforms
- Troubleshooting Frame-Mode MPLS on Cisco IOS Platforms
- Lab 3-1: Establishing the Core MPLS Environment
MPLS Virtual Private Network Technology
- Introducing Virtual Private Networks
- Introducing MPLS VPN Architecture
- Introducing the MPLS VPN Routing Model
- Forwarding MPLS VPN Packets
MPLS VPN Implementation
- Using MPLS VPN Mechanisms of Cisco IOS Platforms
- Configuring VRF Tables
- Configuring an MP-BGP Session Between PE Routers
- Configuring Small-Scale Routing Protocols Between PE and CE Routers
- Monitoring MPLS VPN Operations
- Lab 5-1: Configuring Initial MPLS VPN Setup
- Lab 5-2: Running EIGRP Between PE and CE Routers
- Configuring OSPF as the Routing Protocol Between PE and CE Routers
- Lab 5-3: Running OSPF Between PE and CE Routers
- Configuring BGP as the Routing Protocol Between PE and CE Routers
- Troubleshooting MPLS VPNs
- Lab 5-4: Running BGP Between PE and CE Routers
Complex MPLS VPNs
- Introducing Overlapping VPNs
- Lab 6-1: Establishing Overlapping VPNs
- Introducing Central Services VPNs
- Using Advanced VRF Import and Export Features
- Introducing the Managed CE Routers Service
- Lab 6-2: Merging Service Providers
- Lab 6-3: Establishing a Common Services VPN
Internet Access and MPLS VPNs
- Combining Internet Access with MPLS VPNs
- Implementing Separate Internet Access and VPN Services
- Implementing Internet Access as a Separate VPN
- Lab 7-1: Establishing Central Site Internet Connectivity with an MPLS VPN
MPLS Traffic Engineering Overview
- Introducing Traffic Engineering Concepts
- Understanding MPLS TE Components
- Configuring MPLS Traffic Engineering on Cisco IOS Platforms
- Lab 8-1: Implementing Basic MPLS TE
- Monitoring Basic MPLS TE on Cisco IOS Platforms