MPLS Network Management

MPLS network management is an important component that performs multiple functions, including the frames’ transmissions through a network.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a network data transfer protocol, which emulates the various properties of circuit-switched networks over packet-switched networks.
MPLS was designed to provide universal data service for both clients circuit-switched and packet-switched networks. It is possible to transfer different types of traffics, such as IP-packets, ATM, Frame Relay, SONET, and Ethernet with the help of MPLS.
Thus, this paper introduces MPLS Network Management. It presents various hardware and software applications that are required to support this process, explains the IETF MPLS MIBs, describes how MIB elements relate to MPLS in general, and explores how to combine MIB elements in an operational MPLS network.

The IETF MPLS MIBs
Explaining the IETF MPLS MIBs, it is possible to say that “the two MIBs described in the IETF drafts “Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Label Switch Router (LSR) Management Information Base” and “Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Traffic Engineering Management Information Base” (Morris, 2003, p. 255).
Thus, IETF-TE-MPLS and IRTF-LSR-MPLS ensure a framework for controlling the so-called MPLS NEs. In turn, MIB is a management information base that is used as a model of a managed object in manager/agent architecture. In particular, it is used by SNMP.

How MIB elements relate to MPLS in general
In addition, it should be mentioned that two MIBs can be applied in order to accomplish as follows:
Ӣ Control the high-level MPLS objects that include the following: a segment table, different cross-connects, which are applied in order to build connections between LSP segments, and various interfaces that are semantic and syntactic constructions used to specify the services provided by a class or a component;
Ӣ MBIs can create LSPs;
Ӣ Control and rule the high-level MPLS objects that consist of the following elements: MPLS traffic-engineered tunnels, different resource blocks, and other various EROs.
Therefore, MIB extensions are closely related to different management entities that include the above-mentioned MPLS TE and LSR MIBs.
How to combine MIB elements in an operational MPLS network
The development of LSPs consists of the following stages:
Ӣ Adapting the in-segments on egress LERs and LSRs;
Ӣ Setting up the out-segments on ingress LERs and consequently on LSRs;
Ӣ Establishing a cross-connect table of associated segment;
Ӣ Adopting the so-called tunnel object in order to indicate the cross-connection between termination and origination.
Furthermore, using the TE MIB, it is possible to create a tunnel:
1. Setting up the tunnel:
 The last object that will be established is the so-called row status;
 Carry out the indication of that remote agent and indicate that this operation is the row;
 Testify that the above-mentioned row is ready for service.
Conclusion
Taking the above-stated information into consideration, it is possible to draw a conclusion that MPLS is a technology for fast packet switching in multi-protocol networks based on the use of labels. MPLS is developed and positioned as a way to build high-speed IP-lines, but its scope is not limited to IP, but also applies to any traffic routed network protocol.
Architecture MPLS, which provides constructions of networks with virtually unlimited scalability, increased processing speed of traffic and unprecedented flexibility in terms of organizing extra services, was developed in order to solve the emerging challenges.
In addition, it should be added that the MPLS router routes packets that are solely based on the labels. This method has advantages over the traditional IP routing: first of all, it became possible to route more packets per one second.

References
Davie, B., & Rekhker, Y. (2000). MPLS: Technology and Applications. San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann.
Evans, J., & Filsfils, C. (2007). Deploying IP and MPLS QoS for Multiservice Networks: Theory and Practice. San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann.
Morris, S. B. (2003). Network Management, MIBs and MPLS: Principles, Design and Implementation. NJ: Prentice Hall.