An Optimal MPLS-TE Solution to Route Selection and Redistribution on Congested Networks

In the MPLS network domains, packet forwarding decisions are based on labels instead of layer three address used in the IP network. MPLS LSP tunnels are created for the labeled traffic and used to transmit the traffic in the predetermined routes set by the label switching routers (LSR) on the network boarders. This packet forwarding mechanism makes unequal path load balance and the optimal bandwidth utilization possible. This paper reviews both static and dynamic MPLS load balance algorithms in a previous study. An optimal dynamic load balance (ODLB) solution is proposed. The experiment results of ODLB are compared with the other algorithms and show apparent performance improvement in terms of the bandwidth usage and the frequency of rerouting ongoing traffic. ODLB is guaranteed to provide the optimal routing solution to the networks with parallel routes. The limitation and future work of ODLB is also presented.