How Comprehensive Should an Undergraduate Explanation of MPLS Be?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the adequacy of information required for an 8-10 mark question on Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) for undergraduate students. The local textbook provides a brief overview of the MPLS shim header, label assignment, and the role of Label Edge Routers (LERs) and Label Switching Routers (LSRs) in packet forwarding. The user proposes including additional topics such as the differences between conventional routing and MPLS forwarding, definitions of key terms like Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC), Label Distribution Protocol (LDP), and a diagram illustrating the MPLS architecture. The consensus is that while the textbook offers a foundational understanding, a more comprehensive explanation is necessary to adequately cover the topic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of MPLS architecture and components
  • Familiarity with routing concepts and protocols
  • Knowledge of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters in networking
  • Basic diagramming skills for network topologies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research MPLS architecture in detail, focusing on the role of LERs and LSRs
  • Study the differences between conventional IP routing and MPLS forwarding techniques
  • Explore the definitions and applications of key MPLS terms such as FEC, LSP, and LDP
  • Review comprehensive resources like the IBM TCP/IP Redbook for in-depth MPLS knowledge
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students studying networking, educators preparing course materials on MPLS, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of MPLS operations and architecture.

shivajikobardan
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Homework Statement
What should I exactly write when I am asked how MPLS works?
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Say there is a subject of 80 marks and I have 8-10 marks question about "How MPLS works".

I will list the information that I am planning to write(but I want your feedback on what I should write?)

What my local author textbook (that our teachers use to teach) writes-:
1) gives 1 line info about each components of mpls shim header
2) says that optimum LSP is established along with QoS parameters(2 lines).
then says
Packet enters through LERs and gets assigned a label. And it gets forwarded to LSPs. Within the domain, the LSP gets packet, remove the incoming label and attach the outgoing label and then forwards to next label switching router.
Finally the another LER strips the label reads the Ip and forwards the packet. and then normal forwarding is done.(IP forwarding).

But I feel like this is too less information for 8 marks questions. But I also feel like there is really nth more than this to explain for an undergraduate course.
These 2 topics were called "path setup" and "packet handling".
What more topics should I include in my answer? Or is this enough. I know you might say ask your teacher, this is what their slides write.

1654048318567.png

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Is this information enough for 8 marks questions of UG course? Are there any details that I am missing?

What I am planning to write-:
1) mpls shim header

2) difference between conventional routing vs mpls forwarding

3) some terms related to mpls like FEC, LSP, LER,LSR, LDP (1 line definitions)

4) figure showing LER, LSR and LSP. simple one (might add LBIF as well)

5) Short explanation of how it works i.e the same thing written in slides. first comes to edge router, gets a label and based on that label gets forwarded unidirectionally and the last router pops the label and then ip forwarding starts again.

Would it be enough(not in the sense if it would be enough for my teacher..but in the sense does it really explains how mpls works?)
I am confused. It can't be this simple that you write 3 lines and you are done with the working.
 
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I have found sth like this somewhere, would it be necessary to write about all these for an undergraduate course? it would go from 5-10 pages. ibm tcpip redbook has like 40 pages about these lol.
I found this from wikipedia, it covers most of the stuffs that I have learned from various books. I think this will do the job.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiprotocol_Label_Switching#Routing
 

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