Classify and Control MPLS Traffic

The example below illustrates how you can structure a traffic tree for a network that uses MPLS in the core. The tree organizes traffic into folder classes for each class of service. Applications associated with each class of service are placed into these folders. Each folder has a partition that correlates to the amount of bandwidth the provider gives that class of service. Each application within a folder is assigned the Diffserv Code Point (DSCP) value associated with the MPLS class of service.

Note: This Recommendation assumes that the Label Edge Router will be doing MPLS tagging based on Diffserv or IP ToS tags. If you would like PacketShaper (instead of the LER) to assign the MPLS labels, see Classify Traffic with an MPLS Label.

 Tutorial: Creating an MPLS Traffic Tree (requires Flash player)

Steps:

1. Turn off traffic discovery — you will be manually creating traffic classes for each application you want to classify and control.

2. For Inbound and/or Outbound, create a folder for each MPLS class of service. In the example above, the folder name includes the MPLS class of service as well as the DSCP value associated with the service (for instance, Gold_Service_DSCP_23).

3. For each folder, create a partition with a size that corresponds to your service provider's MPLS contract. For example, if your contract guarantees you 750 Kbps for all Silver Service applications, create a 750K partition for the Silver_Service folder.

4. In the appropriate folder, create classes for each application you want to classify and control.
   
   

5. Decide the type of policy (rate vs. priority) to assign to each application. Policy/Partition Guidelines is a good resource for determining which policy to use. Determine an appropriate priority for the traffic in your traffic class, taking into consideration the goals of its particular MPLS class of service.
   
   Tip: For the next two steps, use the Multi-Class Quick CLI Commands utility to assign multiple classes the same policy.
   

6. For each application, set a rate or priority policy.
   
   Note: In order to assign a Diffserv value, the class must have a rate or priority policy assigned to it.
   
   
7. For each application, assign the appropriate Diffserv value.

See also:

Assess MPLS Performance