Hardware Architectures for Communication Protocols with Reference to MPLS
Raymond Peterkin, Dan Dominic Ionescu · 2006
Abstract – This paper presents an overview for hardware implementations of protocols used in Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). MPLS is the protocol framework on which the attention of a network service provider is focused as it provides privacy and unbreakable security to users. It is meant to prioritize internet traffic and improve bandwidth utilization. As such it provides the possibility of associating Quality of Service (QoS) per flow. Furthermore MPLS increases the performance and efficiency of Internet applications. MPLS protocols are typically implemented by equipment providers in software. However, software based solutions decrease overall performance of MPLS and applications using MPLS. Therefore, hardware solutions are presented to illustrate the mechanisms through which improved performance is possible. An FPGA based architecture for MPLS is also presented to show how a combination of protocols and concepts may be used to effectively implement MPLS in hardware.