IxNetwork TM mldp Emulation Test the Functionality, Performance, and Scalability of mldp-enabled Ingress, Egress or Transit LSRs Multicast LDP (mldp) is a set of extensions to the Label Distribution Protocol (LDP) that support the setup of multipoint Label Switched Paths (LSPs) in MPLS networks. Multipoint LSPs such as Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP) allow for more efficient distribution of multicast traffic. Typical applications for mldp are IPTV distribution and IP multicast transport within an MPLS core. Mapping multicast traffic over MPLS domains creates a challenging environment. IP multicast control messages, such as PIM Joins, are translated into mappings between IP multicast flows and multipoint LSPs using mldp control messages. Networks and mldp-enabled devices must be capable of handling thousands of multipoint LSPs, and therefore performance and scalability characteristics are important considerations before deployment. Leading edge test systems must therefore be used to assess network equipment. Ixia s IxNetwork mldp Emulation software package provides a perfect solution. By emulating Transit, Leaf and Root Label Switch Routers (LSR), IxNetwork pushes mldp-enabled network equipment to the edge, allowing accurate assessment of scalability and performance characteristics prior to deployment. Key Features Verify LSR scalability by signaling thousands of P2MP LSPs Create complex network test topologies by emulating Root, Transit and Leaf LSRs Generate and track MPLS traffic across thousands of P2MP LSPs Validate both in-band and out-of-band signaling mechanisms for mapping multicast flows to P2MP LSPs Graphical editor for creating any type of Opaque Value Measure forwarding performance measurements, such as packet loss, throughput and latency for each P2MP LSP Update MPLS labels in traffic dynamically, without having to stop and restart the test Quickly configure customer and provider network topologies and setup both P2P and P2MP LSPs using the LDP protocol wizard Validate Next Generation Multicast VPN deployments using mldp-based P2MP LSPs as P-Tunnels Decode and analyze LDP P2MP FEC elements and Opaque Values Figure 1: Ixia ports emulate both Root and Leaf LSRs to test a Transit LSR 26601 Agoura Road Calabasas, CA 91302 USA Tel + 1-818-871-1800 www.ixiacom.com Document No.: 915-1871-01 Rev B November 2013 - Page 1
Figure 1 illustrates a typical mldp test scenario, where Ixia test ports are connected to a DUT (Device Under Test), which acts as a Transit node. One Ixia test port emulates a provider network comprised of Transit LSRs (P routers) and Leaf LSRs (PE routers). Another test port emulates a provider network comprised of Transit LSRs (P routers) and Root LSRs (PE routers). P2MP LSPs are established between the emulated Root and Leaf nodes, and then traffic is sent from emulated sources to emulated receivers. The traffic volume is then scaled to determine the scalability and performance characteristics of the DUT. Using variations of this test environment, one can place the DUT in a number of different roles, such as Root, Transit or Leaf, allowing a complete assessment of the DUT in a variety of topologies. Verify Next Generation Multicast VPN Networks Ixia s IxNetwork mldp Emulation software package provides a highly scalable and complete solution to verify Next Generation Multicast VPN (NG-mVPN) implementations and deployments. The mldp Emulation Software includes full support for creating multicast distribution trees (i.e. P-Tunnels) using P2MP LSPs as part of an emulated Multicast VPN topology. A dedicated Multicast VPN protocol wizard, as seen in figure 2 below, provides an integrated solution that can emulate large numbers of CE routers, PE routers and mvpn sites with simultaneous BGP, PIM, MPLS and IGP emulation. IxNetwork completely surrounds the system under test and provides highly realistic, controllable and accurate testing. Figure 2: LDP Protocol Wizard Specifications Protocol Options Multicast Leaf Ranges Root Address Root Address Count Root Address Step LSP Count per Root Label Value Start Label Value Step Number of Opaque Value TLVs Page 2
Number of Traffic Group Ranges Multicast Root Ranges Root Address Root Address Count Root Address Step LSP Count per Root Number of Opaque Value TLVs Number of Traffic Source Ranges Multicast Leaf/Root Opaque TLVs Type Length Value Increment Traffic Group Ranges IPv4 IPv6 Group Address Group Count Traffic Source Ranges IPv4 IPv6 Source Address Source Count per LSP Filter on Group Address Learned P2P/P2MP Labels Per Port Per LDP Session Statistics Established LSP Ingress Established LSP Egress Established P2MP LSP Ingress Established P2MP LSP Egress Label Abort Tx Label Abort Rx Label Request Tx Label Request Rx Label Mapping Tx Label Mapping Rx Page 3
Label Release Tx Label Release Rx Label Withdraw Tx Label Withdraw Rx Label Notification Tx Label Notification Rx Analyzer Decoder Standards P2MP FEC Elements MP Opaque Value Elements P2MP Capability draft-ietf-mpls-ldp-p2mp-11 - Label Distribution Protocol Extensions for P2MP and MP2MP LSPs draft-ietf-mpls-mldp-in-band-signaling-02 - mldp based in-band signaling for P2MP and MP2MP LSPs Supported Modules: LSM, XMVDC, NGY and HSE 40G/100G series Product Ordering Information 930-2080 Aptixia IxNetwork, Optional Software, MPLS mldp Emulation REQUIRES: 930-1999 Base Software 930-2015 MPLS LDP Emulation 930-2081 Aptixia IxNetwork, Optional Software, BGP Extensions for NG mvpn with mldp REQUIRES: 930-1999 Base Software 930-2004 Multicast Emulation 930-2015 MPLS LDP Emulation 930-2080 MPLS mldp Emulation 930-2005 BGP Emulation 930-2006 BGP extensions to support MPLS L3VPN/VPLS Other Related Products 930-1999 IxNetwork, Base Software, Layer 2-3 Performance Test Application, supports traffic generation and analysis; includes Media Kit 930-2001 IxNetwork, Optional Software Bundle, IPv4 Routing Protocols; includes 930-2005 BGP-4 Emulation, 930-2008 OSPFV2 Emulation, 930-2010 IS-IS Emulation, 930-2012 RIPV2 Emulation; REQUIRES 930-1999; includes Media Kit 930-2002 IxNetwork, Optional Software Bundle, IPv6 Routing Protocols; includes 930-2007 BGP4 with IPv6 Support, 930-2009 OSPFv3 with IPv6 Emulation, 930-2011 IS-IS IPv6 Support, 930-2013 RIPng Emulation; REQUIRES 930-1999 and 930-2001 Optional Software Bundle, IPv4 Routing Protocols; includes Media Kit 930-2003 IxNetwork, Optional Software Bundle, MPLS VPN; includes 930-2006 Layer 3 MPLS/VPLS Support, 930-2014 RSVP-TE Emulation, 930-2015 LDP Emulation; REQUIRES 930-1999 and 930-2001 Optional Software Bundle, IPv4 Routing Page 4
Protocols; includes Media Kit 930-2004 IxNetwork, Optional Software, Multicast Emulation, includes IGMPv1/v2/v3, MLDv1/v2, PIM-SM/SSMv4/v6, and Multicast VPN support; REQUIRES 930-1999; includes Media Kit 930-2005 IxNetwork, Optional Software, BGP4 Emulation; REQUIRES 930-1999; includes Media Kit 930-2006 IxNetwork, Optional Software, BGP4 Emulation with additional Layer 3 MPLS/VPN, VPLS & Multicast VPN Support; REQUIRES 930-1999 and 930-2005 BGP4 Emulation; includes Media Kit 930-2014 IxNetwork, Optional Software, MPLS RSVP-TE Emulation; includes Media Kit 930-2015 IxNetwork, Optional Software, MPLS LDP Emulation, includes Layer 2 MPLS VPN and VPLS support; REQUIRES 930-1999; includes Media Kit 930-2052 IxNetwork, Optional Software, LDP extension to support FEC 129; REQUIRES: 930-1999 Base Software, 930-2005 BGP Emulation, 930-2006 BGP ext to support MPLS L3VPN/L2VPN/VPLS, 930-2015 LDP Emulation 930-2053 IxNetwork, Optional Software, BGP Extension for NG mvpn with RSVP-TE P2MP; REQUIRES 930-1999 IxNetwork base SW, 930-2005 BGP Emulation, 930-2006 BGP ext to support MPLS L3VPN/VPLS, 930-2014 RSVP-TE Emulation, 930-2036 RSVP-TE P2MP Emulation 930-2057 Aptixia IxNetwork, Optional Software Bundle, Basic MPLS Bundle (L2 VPN/VPLS, L3 VPN, Multicast VPN (draft-rosen)); INCLUDES; 930-2001 IPv4 Routing Bundle 930-2002 IPv6 Routing Bundle 930-2003 MPLS VPN Bundle 930-2004 Multicast Bundle; REQUIRES: 930-1999 Base Software This material is for informational purposes only and subject to change without notice. It describes Ixia's present plans to develop and make available to its customers certain products, features and functionality. Ixia is only obligated to provide those deliverables specifically included in a written agreement between Ixia and the customer. Page 5