Enterprises and service providers will be hoping that
two warring standards bodies can next week sort out a network
technology problem that could lead to downtime.
The
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has locked horns with
the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) over future
Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) standards.
MPLS is a rising traffic technology in the enterprise and
service provider market. It is used to improve the quality of
service in data packet delivery. MPLS allows users to set aside
network space for specific data packets, to make sure the most
important users get the best access to applications and data.
It can also be used to ensure that
voice over IP traffic is
given priority over converged voice and data networks, to avoid
delayed packets causing broken conversations.
But a developing problem is arising as a result of the ITU's
plan to introduce a new MPLS protocol to better support carrier
network backbones.
The IETF claims the ITU's proposed Transport-MPLS (T-MPLS)
specification will not work with the routers and switches that
carriers and enterprises have already installed, which are based on
the IETF's own established MPLS standards.
The problem is that T-MPLS uses the same EtherType as MPLS,
which could potentially cause operational problems in networks. An
EtherType is part of the Ethernet network standard which indicates
which protocol is being used to enable the router or switch to
process the data packet.
The IETF wants the ITU to use a different EtherType.
But the ITU has so far refused, claiming that carefully planned
converged networks would have no problem sorting out which traffic
is which - despite Ethernet networks in enterprises having to
interpret which MPLS protocol is being used when traffic comes onto
their network from service providers.
The IETF says deployed networks never stay exactly the same in
the field, despite careful planning, and that the ITU's T-MPLS
could cause downtime when networks are upgraded or changed.
Existing MPLS kit could also face problems when faced with new
T-MPLS traffic, says the IETF.
The IETF first raised concerns about the possible problem last
year, but has now drawn a line in the sand as the ITU moves closer
to ratifying its new standard.
The T-MPLS working group is scheduled to start a week-long
meeting in Germany next week, with several IETF delegates expected
to take part.
A large number of representatives from carriers and network
hardware suppliers will join the proceedings, which are designed to
try and find a solution to the impasse.