Subject: RE: label encapsulation for LAN media

From: Anoop Ghanwani <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 14:35:28 -0700

Seenu,

The standard for MPLS over Ethernet media is the one specified
in draft-ietf-mpls-label-encaps-07.txt.  The one presented in
draft-srinivasan-mpls-lans-label-00.txt had some issues that
needed to be addressed with regard to  bridge learning.
As such we decided not to pursue it, and the draft has since
expired.

-Anoop

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email-masked] [mailto:[email-masked]]
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2000 1:57 AM
> To: [email-masked]; [email-masked]
> Subject: label encapsulation for LAN media
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I have the following doubts on mpls-ethernet.
> 
> Draft-ietf-mpls-label-encaps-07.txt  says that the Label 
> Stack (label encapsulation on LAN media) must appear AFTER 
> the data link layer headers, but BEFORE any network layer headers.
> 
> But the draft-srinivasan-mpls-lans-label-00.txt says that: (ARIS too)
> 
> 	The main drawback of using the above approach for 
> label-encapsulation is that accessing the labels requires 
> that the frames be processed by software, reducing the 
> benefit offered by label switching. Alternatively, hardware 
> technology specific to label switching may be developed. 
> However, standardized devices incorporating this technology 
> do not exist today and cannot be built until the MPLS 
> standard becomes stable. 
> 
> 	And this draft has proposed the use of destination MAC 
> address field for label encapsulation.
> 
> 
> Now, my doubts are:
> 
> ? If one follows the first case (label-encaps-07.txt), how 
> the label swapping will be done (s/w or h/w)
> ? Is there any ethernet standard (h/w) that supports the 
> above type of switching (label-encaps-07.txt).
> ? Which is the standard draft that is being followed.
> ? If any of u have implemented the above, pls help me.
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> regards
> seenu
>