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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc5659.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc5659.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1569b8c --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc5659.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1347 @@ + + + + + + +Network Working Group M. Bocci +Request for Comments: 5659 Alcatel-Lucent +Category: Informational S. Bryant + Cisco Systems + October 2009 + + + An Architecture for Multi-Segment Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge + +Abstract + + This document describes an architecture for extending pseudowire + emulation across multiple packet switched network (PSN) segments. + Scenarios are discussed where each segment of a given edge-to-edge + emulated service spans a different provider's PSN, as are other + scenarios where the emulated service originates and terminates on the + same provider's PSN, but may pass through several PSN tunnel segments + in that PSN. It presents an architectural framework for such multi- + segment pseudowires, defines terminology, and specifies the various + protocol elements and their functions. + +Status of This Memo + + This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does + not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this + memo is unlimited. + +Copyright and License Notice + + Copyright (c) 2009 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the + document authors. All rights reserved. + + This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal + Provisions Relating to IETF Documents + (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of + publication of this document. Please review these documents + carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect + to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must + include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of + the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as + described in the BSD License. + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 1] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +Table of Contents + + 1. Introduction ....................................................3 + 1.1. Motivation and Context .....................................3 + 1.2. Non-Goals of This Document .................................6 + 1.3. Terminology ................................................6 + 2. Applicability ...................................................8 + 3. Protocol Layering Model .........................................8 + 3.1. Domain of MS-PW Solutions ..................................9 + 3.2. Payload Types ..............................................9 + 4. Multi-Segment Pseudowire Reference Model ........................9 + 4.1. Intra-Provider Connectivity Architecture ..................11 + 4.1.1. Intra-Provider Switching Using ACs .................11 + 4.1.2. Intra-Provider Switching Using PWs .................11 + 4.2. Inter-Provider Connectivity Architecture ..................11 + 4.2.1. Inter-Provider Switching Using ACs .................12 + 4.2.2. Inter-Provider Switching Using PWs .................12 + 5. PE Reference Model .............................................13 + 5.1. Pseudowire Pre-Processing .................................13 + 5.1.1. Forwarding .........................................13 + 5.1.2. Native Service Processing ..........................14 + 6. Protocol Stack Reference Model .................................14 + 7. Maintenance Reference Model ....................................15 + 8. PW Demultiplexer Layer and PSN Requirements ....................16 + 8.1. Multiplexing ..............................................16 + 8.2. Fragmentation .............................................17 + 9. Control Plane ..................................................17 + 9.1. Setup and Placement of MS-PWs .............................17 + 9.2. Pseudowire Up/Down Notification ...........................18 + 9.3. Misconnection and Payload Type Mismatch ...................18 + 10. Management and Monitoring .....................................18 + 11. Congestion Considerations .....................................19 + 12. Security Considerations .......................................20 + 13. Acknowledgments ...............................................23 + 14. References ....................................................23 + 14.1. Normative References .....................................23 + 14.2. Informative References ...................................23 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 2] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +1. Introduction + + RFC 3985 [1] defines the architecture for pseudowires, where a + pseudowire (PW) both originates and terminates on the edge of the + same packet switched network (PSN). The PW label is unchanged + between the originating and terminating provider edges (PEs). This + is now known as a single-segment pseudowire (SS-PW). + + This document extends the architecture in RFC 3985 to enable point- + to-point pseudowires to be extended through multiple PSN tunnels. + These are known as multi-segment pseudowires (MS-PWs). Use cases for + multi-segment pseudowires (MS-PWs), and the consequent requirements, + are defined in RFC 5254 [5]. + +1.1. Motivation and Context + + RFC 3985 addresses the case where a PW spans a single segment between + two PEs. Such PWs are termed single-segment pseudowires (SS-PWs) and + provide point-to-point connectivity between two edges of a provider + network. However, there is now a requirement to be able to construct + multi-segment pseudowires. These requirements are specified in RFC + 5254 [5] and address three main problems: + + i. How to constrain the density of the mesh of PSN tunnels when the + number of PEs grows to many hundreds or thousands, while + minimizing the complexity of the PEs and P-routers. + + ii. How to provide PWs across multiple PSN routing domains or areas + in the same provider. + + iii. How to provide PWs across multiple provider domains and + different PSN types. + + Consider a single PW domain, such as that shown in Figure 1. There + are 4 PEs, and PWs must be provided from any PE to any other PE. + PWs can be supported by establishing a full mesh of PSN tunnels + between the PEs, requiring a full mesh of LDP signaling adjacencies + between the PEs. PWs can therefore be established between any PE and + any other PE via a single, direct PSN tunnel that is switched only by + intermediate P-routers (not shown in the figure). In this case, each + PW is an SS-PW. A PE must terminate all the pseudowires that are + carried on the PSN tunnels that terminate on that PE, according to + the architecture of RFC 3985. This solution is adequate for small + numbers of PEs, but the number of PEs, PSN tunnels, and signaling + adjacencies will grow in proportion to the square of the number of + PEs. + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 3] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + For reasons of economy, the edge PEs that terminate the attachment + circuits (ACs) are often small devices built to very low cost with + limited processing power. Consider an example where a particular PE, + residing at the edge of a provider network, terminates N PWs to/from + N different remote PEs. This needs N PW signaling adjacencies to be + set up and maintained. If the edge PE attaches to a single + intermediate PE that is able to switch the PW, that edge PE only + needs a single adjacency to signal and maintain all N PWs. The + intermediate switching PE (which is a larger device) needs M + signaling adjacencies, but statistically this is less than tN, where + t is the number of edge PEs that it is serving. Similarly, if the + PWs are running over TE PSN tunnels, there is a statistical reduction + in the number of TE PSN tunnels that need to be set up and maintained + between the various PEs. + + One possible solution that is more efficient for large numbers of + PEs, in particular for the control plane, is therefore to support a + partial mesh of PSN tunnels between the PEs, as shown in Figure 1. + For example, consider a PW service whose endpoints are PE1 and PE4. + Pseudowires for this can take the path PE1->PE2->PE4 and, rather than + terminating at PE2, be switched between ingress and egress PSN + tunnels on that PE. This requires a capability in PE2 that can + concatenate PW segments PE1-PE2 to PW segments PE2-PE4. The end-to- + end PW is known as a multi-segment PW. + + ,,..--..,,_ + .-`` `'., + +-----+` '+-----+ + | PE1 |---------------------| PE2 | + | |---------------------| | + +-----+ PSN Tunnel +-----+ + / || || \ + / || || \ + | || || | + | || PSN || | + | || || | + \ || || / + \ || || / + \|| ||/ + +-----+ +-----+ + | PE3 |---------------------| PE4 | + | |---------------------| | + +-----+`'.,_ ,.'` +-----+ + `'''---''`` + + Figure 1: PWs Spanning a Single PSN with Partial Mesh of PSN Tunnels + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 4] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + Figure 1 shows a simple, flat PSN topology. However, large provider + networks are typically not flat, consisting of many domains that are + connected together to provide edge-to-edge services. The elements in + each domain are specialized for a particular role, for example, + supporting different PSN types or using different routing protocols. + + An example application is shown in Figure 2. Here, the provider's + network is divided into three domains: two access domains and the + core domain. The access domains represent the edge of the provider's + network at which services are delivered. In the access domain, + simplicity is required in order to minimize the cost of the network. + The core domain must support all of the aggregated services from the + access domains, and the design requirements here are for scalability, + performance, and information hiding (i.e., minimal state). The core + must not be exposed to the state associated with large numbers of + individual edge-to-edge flows. That is, the core must be simple and + fast. + + In a traditional layer 2 network, the interconnection points between + the domains are where services in the access domains are aggregated + for transport across the core to other access domains. In an IP + network, the interconnection points could also represent interworking + points between different types of IP networks, e.g., those with MPLS + and those without, and points where network policies can be applied. + + <-------- Edge to Edge Emulated Services -------> + + ,' . ,-` `', ,' . + / \ .` `, / \ + / \ / , / \ + AC +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ AC + ---| PE |-----| PE |---------------| PE |-------| PE |--- + | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | + +----+ +----+ +----+ +----+ + \ / \ / \ / + \ / \ Core ` \ / + `, ` . ,` `, ` + '-'` `., _.` '-'` + Access 1 `''-''` Access 2 + + Figure 2: Multi-Domain Network Model + + A similar model can also be applied to inter-provider services, where + a single PW spans a number of separate provider networks in order to + connect ACs residing on PEs in disparate provider networks. In this + case, each provider will typically maintain their own PE at the + border of their network in order to apply policies such as security + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 5] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + and Quality of Service (QoS) to PWs entering their network. Thus, + the connection between the domains will normally be a link between + two PEs on the border of each provider's network. + + Consider the application of this model to PWs. PWs use tunneling + mechanisms such as MPLS to enable the underlying PSN to emulate + characteristics of the native service. One solution to the multi- + domain network model above is to extend PSN tunnels edge-to-edge + between all of the PEs in access domain 1 and all of the PEs in + access domain 2, but this requires a large number of PSN tunnels, as + described above, and also exposes the access and the core of the + network to undesirable complexity. An alternative is to constrain + the complexity to the network domain interconnection points (PE2 and + PE3 in the example above). Pseudowires between PE1 and PE4 would + then be switched between PSN tunnels at the interconnection points, + enabling PWs from many PEs in the access domains to be aggregated + across only a few PSN tunnels in the core of the network. PEs in the + access domains would only need to maintain direct signaling sessions + and PSN tunnels, with other PEs in their own domain, thus minimizing + complexity of the access domains. + +1.2. Non-Goals of This Document + + The following are non-goals for this document: + + o The on-the-wire specification of PW encapsulations. + + o The detailed specification of mechanisms for establishing and + maintaining multi-segment pseudowires. + +1.3. Terminology + + The terminology specified in RFC 3985 [1] and RFC 4026 [2] applies. + In addition, we define the following terms: + + o PW Terminating Provider Edge (T-PE). A PE where the customer- + facing attachment circuits (ACs) are bound to a PW forwarder. A + terminating PE is present in the first and last segments of an MS- + PW. This incorporates the functionality of a PE as defined in RFC + 3985. + + o Single-Segment Pseudowire (SS-PW). A PW set up directly between + two T-PE devices. The PW label is unchanged between the + originating and terminating T-PEs. + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 6] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + o Multi-Segment Pseudowire (MS-PW). A static or dynamically + configured set of two or more contiguous PW segments that behave + and function as a single point-to-point PW. Each end of an MS-PW, + by definition, terminates on a T-PE. + + o PW Segment. A part of a single-segment or multi-segment PW, which + traverses one PSN tunnel in each direction between two PE devices, + T-PEs, and/or S-PEs (switching PE). + + o PW Switching Provider Edge (S-PE). A PE capable of switching the + control and data planes of the preceding and succeeding PW segments + in an MS-PW. The S-PE terminates the PSN tunnels of the preceding + and succeeding segments of the MS-PW. It therefore includes a PW + switching point for an MS-PW. A PW switching point is never the + S-PE and the T-PE for the same MS-PW. A PW switching point runs + necessary protocols to set up and manage PW segments with other PW + switching points and terminating PEs. An S-PE can exist anywhere a + PW must be processed or policy applied. It is therefore not + limited to the edge of a provider network. + + Note that it was originally anticipated that S-PEs would only be + deployed at the edge of a provider network where they would be used + to switch the PWs of different service providers. However, as the + design of MS-PW progressed, other applications for MS-PW were + recognized. By this time S-PE had become the accepted term for the + equipment, even though they were no longer universally deployed at + the provider edge. + + o PW Switching. The process of switching the control and data planes + of the preceding and succeeding PW segments in a MS-PW. + + o PW Switching Point. The reference point in an S-PE where the + switching takes place, e.g., where PW label swap is executed. + + o Eligible S-PE or T-PE. An eligible S-PE or T-PE is a PE that meets + the security and privacy requirements of the MS-PW, according to + the network operator's policy. + + o Trusted S-PE or T-PE. A trusted S-PE or T-PE is a PE that is + understood to be eligible by its next-hop S-PE or T-PE, while a + trust relationship exists between two S-PEs or T-PEs if they + mutually consider each other to be eligible. + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 7] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +2. Applicability + + An MS-PW is a single PW that, for technical or administrative + reasons, is segmented into a number of concatenated hops. From the + perspective of a Layer 2 Virtual Private Network (L2VPN), an MS-PW is + indistinguishable from an SS-PW. Thus, the following are equivalent + from the perspective of the T-PE: + + +----+ +----+ + |TPE1+--------------------------------------------------+TPE2| + +----+ +----+ + + |<---------------------------PW----------------------------->| + + +----+ +---+ +---+ +----+ + |TPE1+--------------+SPE+-----------+SPE+---------------+TPE2| + +----+ +---+ +---+ +----+ + + Figure 3: MS-PW Equivalence + + Although an MS-PW may require services such as node discovery and + path signaling to construct the PW, it should not be confused with an + L2VPN system, which also requires these services. A Virtual Private + Wire Service (VPWS) connects its endpoints via a set of PWs. MS-PW + is a mechanism that abstracts the construction of complex PWs from + the construction of a L2VPN. Thus, a T-PE might be an edge device + optimized for simplicity and an S-PE might be an aggregation device + designed to absorb the complexity of continuing the PW across the + core of one or more service provider networks to another T-PE located + at the edge of the network. + + As well as supporting traditional L2VPNs, an MS-PW is applicable to + providing connectivity across a transport network based on packet + switching technology, e.g., the MPLS Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) [6], + [8]. Such a network uses pseudowires to support the transport and + aggregation of all services. This application requires deterministic + characteristics and behavior from the network. The operational + requirements of such networks may need pseudowire segments that can + be established and maintained in the absence of a control plane, and + may also need the operational independence of PW maintenance from the + underlying PSN. + +3. Protocol Layering Model + + The protocol layering model specified in RFC 3985 applies to MS-PWs + with the following clarification: the pseudowires may be considered + to be a separate layer to the PSN tunnel. That is, although a PW + segment will follow the path of the PSN tunnel between S-PEs, the + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 8] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + MS-PW is independent of the PSN tunnel routing, operations, + signaling, and maintenance. The design of PW routing domains should + not imply that the underlying PSN routing domains are the same. + However, MS-PWs will reuse the protocols of the PSN and may, if + applicable, use information that is extracted from the PSN, e.g., + reachability. + +3.1. Domain of MS-PW Solutions + + PWs provide the Encapsulation Layer, i.e., the method of carrying + various payload types, and the interface to the PW Demultiplexer + Layer. Other layers provide the following: + + o PSN tunnel setup, maintenance, and routing + + o T-PE discovery + + Not all PEs may be capable of providing S-PE functionality. + Connectivity to the next-hop S-PE or T-PE must be provided by a PSN + tunnel, according to [1]. The selection of which set of S-PEs to use + to reach a given T-PE is considered to be within the scope of MS-PW + solutions. + +3.2. Payload Types + + MS-PWs are applicable to all PW payload types. Encapsulations + defined for SS-PWs are also used for MS-PW without change. Where the + PSN types for each segment of an MS-PW are identical, the PW types of + each segment must also be identical. However, if different segments + run over different PSN types, the encapsulation may change but the PW + segments must be of an equivalent PW type, i.e., the S-PE must not + need to process the PW payload to provide translation. + +4. Multi-Segment Pseudowire Reference Model + + The pseudowire emulation edge-to-edge (PWE3) reference architecture + for the single-segment case is shown in [1]. This architecture + applies to the case where a PSN tunnel extends between two edges of a + single PSN domain to transport a PW with endpoints at these edges. + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 9] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + Native |<------Multi-Segment Pseudowire------>| Native + Service | PSN PSN | Service + (AC) | |<-Tunnel->| |<-Tunnel->| | (AC) + | V V 1 V V 2 V V | + | +----+ +-----+ +----+ | + +----+ | |TPE1|===========|SPE1 |==========|TPE2| | +----+ + | |------|..... PW.Seg't1....X....PW.Seg't3.....|-------| | + | CE1| | | | | | | | | |CE2 | + | |------|..... PW.Seg't2....X....PW.Seg't4.....|-------| | + +----+ | | |===========| |==========| | | +----+ + ^ +----+ +-----+ +----+ ^ + | Provider Edge 1 ^ Provider Edge 2 | + | | | + | | | + | PW switching point | + | | + |<------------------ Emulated Service --------------->| + + Figure 4: MS-PW Reference Model + + Figure 4 extends this architecture to show a multi-segment case. The + PEs that provide services to CE1 and CE2 are Terminating PE1 (T-PE1) + and Terminating PE2 (T-PE2), respectively. A PSN tunnel extends from + T-PE1 to Switching PE1 (S-PE1) across PSN1, and a second PSN tunnel + extends from S-PE1 to T-PE2 across PSN2. PWs are used to connect the + attachment circuits (ACs) attached to PE1 to the corresponding ACs + attached to T-PE2. + + Each PW segment on the tunnel across PSN1 is switched to a PW segment + in the tunnel across PSN2 at S-PE1 to complete the multi-segment PW + (MS-PW) between T-PE1 and T-PE2. S-PE1 is therefore the PW switching + point. PW segment 1 and PW segment 3 are segments of the same MS-PW, + while PW segment 2 and PW segment 4 are segments of another MS-PW. + PW segments of the same MS-PW (e.g., PW segment 1 and PW segment 3) + must be of equivalent PW types, as described in Section 3.2, while + PSN tunnels (e.g., PSN1 and PSN2) may be of the same or different PSN + types. An S-PE switches an MS-PW from one segment to another based + on the PW demultiplexer, i.e., a PW label that may take one of the + forms defined in Section 5.4.1 of RFC 3985 [1]. + + Note that although Figure 4 only shows a single S-PE, a PW may + transit more than one S-PE along its path. This architecture is + applicable when the S-PEs are statically chosen, or when they are + chosen using a dynamic path-selection mechanism. Both directions of + an MS-PW must traverse the same set of S-PEs on a reciprocal path. + Note that although the S-PE path is therefore reciprocal, the path + taken by the PSN tunnels between the T-PEs and S-PEs might not be + reciprocal due to choices made by the PSN routing protocol. + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 10] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +4.1. Intra-Provider Connectivity Architecture + + There is a requirement to deploy PWs edge-to-edge in large service + provider networks (RFC 5254 [5]). Such networks typically encompass + hundreds or thousands of aggregation devices at the edge, each of + which would be a PE. These networks may be partitioned into separate + metro and core PW domains, where the PEs are interconnected by a + sparse mesh of tunnels. + + Whether or not the network is partitioned into separate PW domains, + there is also a requirement to support a partial mesh of traffic- + engineered PSN tunnels. + + The architecture shown in Figure 4 can be used to support such cases. + PSN1 and PSN2 may be in different administrative domains or access + regions, core regions, or metro regions within the same provider's + network. PSN1 and PSN2 may also be of different types. For example, + S-PEs may be used to connect PW segments traversing metro networks of + one technology, e.g., statically allocated labels, with segments + traversing an MPLS core network. + + Alternatively, T-PE1, S-PE1, and T-PE2 may reside at the edges of the + same PSN. + +4.1.1. Intra-Provider Switching Using ACs + + In this model, the PW reverts to the native service AC at the domain + boundary PE. This AC is then connected to a separate PW on the same + PE. In this case, the reference models of RFC 3985 apply to each + segment and to the PEs. The remaining PE architectural + considerations in this document do not apply to this case. + +4.1.2. Intra-Provider Switching Using PWs + + In this model, PW segments are switched between PSN tunnels that span + portions of a provider's network, without reverting to the native + service at the boundary. For example, in Figure 4, PSN1 and PSN2 + would be portions of the same provider's network. + +4.2. Inter-Provider Connectivity Architecture + + Inter-provider PWs may need to be switched between PSN tunnels at the + provider boundary in order to minimize the number of tunnels required + to provide PW-based services to CEs attached to each provider's + network. In addition, the following may need to be implemented on a + per-PW basis at the provider boundary: + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 11] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + o Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM). Note that + this is synonymous with 'Operations and Maintenance' referred to + in RFC 5254 [5]. + + o Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) + + o Security mechanisms + + Further security-related architectural considerations are described + in Section 12. + +4.2.1. Inter-Provider Switching Using ACs + + In this model, the PW reverts to the native service at the provider + boundary PE. This AC is then connected to a separate PW at the peer + provider boundary PE. In this case, the reference models of RFC 3985 + apply to each segment and to the PEs. This is similar to the case in + Section 4.1.1, except that additional security and policy enforcement + measures will be required. The remaining PE architectural + considerations in this document do not apply to this case. + +4.2.2. Inter-Provider Switching Using PWs + + In this model, PW segments are switched between PSN tunnels in each + provider's network, without reverting to the native service at the + boundary. This architecture is shown in Figure 5. Here, S-PE1 and + S-PE2 are provider border routers. PW segment 1 is switched to PW + segment 2 at S-PE1. PW segment 2 is then carried across an inter- + provider PSN tunnel to S-PE2, where it is switched to PW segment 3 in + PSN2. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 12] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + |<------Multi-Segment Pseudowire------>| + | Provider Provider | + AC | |<----1---->| |<----2--->| | AC + | V V V V V V | + | +----+ +-----+ +----+ +----+ | + +----+ | | |=====| |=====| |=====| | | +----+ + | |-------|......PW.....X....PW.....X...PW.......|-------| | + | CE1| | | |Seg 1| |Seg 2| |Seg 3| | | |CE2 | + +----+ | | |=====| |=====| |=====| | | +----+ + ^ +----+ +-----+ +----+ +----+ ^ + | T-PE1 S-PE1 S-PE2 T-PE2 | + | ^ ^ | + | | | | + | PW switching points | + | | + | | + |<------------------- Emulated Service --------------->| + + Figure 5: Inter-Provider Reference Model + +5. PE Reference Model + +5.1. Pseudowire Pre-Processing + + Pseudowire pre-processing is applied in the T-PEs as specified in RFC + 3985. Processing at the S-PEs is specified in the following + sections. + +5.1.1. Forwarding + + Each forwarder in the S-PE forwards packets from one PW segment on + the ingress PSN-facing interface of the S-PE to one PW segment on the + egress PSN-facing interface of the S-PE. + + The forwarder selects the egress segment PW based on the ingress PW + label. The mapping of ingress to egress PW label may be statically + or dynamically configured. Figure 6 shows how a single forwarder is + associated with each PW segment at the S-PE. + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 13] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + +------------------------------------------+ + | S-PE Device | + +------------------------------------------+ + Ingress | | | | Egress + PW instance | Single | | Single | PW Instance + <==========>X PW Instance + Forwarder + PW Instance X<==========> + | | | | + +------------------------------------------+ + + Figure 6: Point-to-Point Service + + Other mappings of PW-to-forwarder are for further study. + +5.1.2. Native Service Processing + + There is no native service processing in the S-PEs. + +6. Protocol Stack Reference Model + + Figure 7 illustrates the protocol stack reference model for multi- + segment PWs. + + +-----------+ +-----------+ + | Emulated | | Emulated | + | Service | | Service | + |(e.g., ATM)|<======= Emulated Service =======>|(e.g., ATM)| + +-----------+ +-----------+ + | Payload | | Payload | + | Encap. |<=== Multi-segment Pseudowire ===>| Encap. | + +-----------+ +--------+ +-----------+ + | PW Demux |<PW Segment>|PW Demux|<PW Segment>| PW Demux | + +-----------+ +--------+ +-----------+ + |PSN Tunnel,|<PSN Tunnel>| PSN |<PSN Tunnel>|PSN Tunnel,| + | PSN & PHY | |Physical| | PSN & PHY | + | Layers | | Layers | | Layers | + +----+------+ +--------+ +-----+-----+ + | .......... | .......... | + | / \ | / \ | + +==========/ PSN \===/ PSN \======+ + \ domain 1 / \ domain 2 / + \__________/ \__________/ + `````````` `````````` + + Figure 7: Multi-Segment PW Protocol Stack + + The MS-PW provides the CE with an emulated physical or virtual + connection to its peer at the far end. Native service PDUs from the + CE are passed through an Encapsulation Layer and a PW demultiplexer + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 14] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + is added at the sending T-PE. The PDU is sent over PSN domain via + the PSN transport tunnel. The receiving S-PE swaps the existing PW + demultiplexer for the demultiplexer of the next segment and then + sends the PDU over transport tunnel in PSN2. Where the ingress and + egress PSN domains of the S-PE are of the same type, e.g., they are + both MPLS PSNs, a simple label swap operation is performed, as + described in Section 3.13 of RFC 3031 [3]. However, where the + ingress and egress PSNs are of different types, e.g., MPLS and + L2TPv3, the ingress PW demultiplexer is removed (or popped), and a + mapping to the egress PW demultiplexer is performed and then inserted + (or pushed). + + Policies may also be applied to the PW at this point. Examples of + such policies include admission control, rate control, QoS mappings, + and security. The receiving T-PE removes the PW demultiplexer and + restores the payload to its native format for transmission to the + destination CE. + + Where the encapsulation format is different, e.g., MPLS and L2TPv3, + the payload encapsulation may be translated at the S-PE. + +7. Maintenance Reference Model + + Figure 8 shows the maintenance reference model for multi-segment + pseudowires. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 15] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + |<------------- CE (end-to-end) Signaling ------------>| + | | + | |<-------- MS-PW/T-PE Maintenance ----->| | + | | |<---PW Seg't-->| |<--PW Seg't--->| | | + | | | Maintenance | | Maintenance | | | + | | | | | | | | + | | | PSN | | PSN | | | + | | | |<-Tunnel1->| | | |<-Tunnel2->| | | | + | V V V Signaling V V V V Signaling V V V | + V +----+ +-----+ +----+ V + +----+ |TPE1|===========|SPE1 |===========|TPE2| +----+ + | |-------|......PW.Seg't1....X....PW Seg't3......|------| | + | CE1| | | | | | | |CE2 | + | |-------|......PW.Seg't2....X....PW Seg't4......|------| | + +----+ | |===========| |===========| | +----+ + ^ +----+ +-----+ +----+ ^ + | Terminating ^ Terminating | + | Provider Edge 1 | Provider Edge 2 | + | | | + | PW switching point | + | | + |<--------------------- Emulated Service ------------------->| + + Figure 8: MS-PW Maintenance Reference Model + + RFC 3985 specifies the use of CE (end-to-end) and PSN tunnel + signaling as well as PW/PE maintenance. CE and PSN tunnel signaling + is as specified in RFC 3985. However, in the case of MS-PWs, + signaling between the PEs now has both an edge-to-edge and a hop-by- + hop context. That is, signaling and maintenance between T-PEs and + S-PEs and between adjacent S-PEs is used to set up, maintain, and + tear down the MS-PW segments, which includes the coordination of + parameters related to each switching point as well as to the MS-PW + endpoints. + +8. PW Demultiplexer Layer and PSN Requirements + +8.1. Multiplexing + + The purpose of the PW Demultiplexer Layer at the S-PE is to + demultiplex PWs from ingress PSN tunnels and to multiplex them into + egress PSN tunnels. Although each PW may contain multiple native + service circuits, e.g., multiple ATM virtual circuits (VCs), the + S-PEs do not have visibility of, and hence do not change, this level + of multiplexing because they contain no Native Service Processor + (NSP). + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 16] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +8.2. Fragmentation + + If fragmentation is to be used in an MS-PW, T-PEs and S-PEs must + satisfy themselves that fragmented PW payloads can be correctly + reassembled for delivery to the destination attachment circuit. + + An S-PE is not required to make any attempt to reassemble a + fragmented PW payload. However, it may choose to do so if, for + example, it knows that a downstream PW segment does not support + reassembly. + + An S-PE may fragment a PW payload using [4]. + +9. Control Plane + +9.1. Setup and Placement of MS-PWs + + For multi-segment pseudowires, the intermediate PW switching points + may be statically provisioned or chosen dynamically. + + For the static case, there are two options for exchanging the PW + labels: + + o By configuration at the T-PEs or S-PEs. + + o By signaling across each segment using a dynamic maintenance + protocol. + + A multi-segment pseudowire may thus consist of segments where the + labels are statically configured and segments where the labels are + signaled. + + For the case of dynamic choice of the PW switching points, there are + two options for selecting the path of the MS-PW: + + o T-PEs determine the full path of the PW through intermediate + switching points. This may be either static or based on a dynamic + PW path-selection mechanism. + + o Each T-PE and S-PE makes a local decision as to which next-hop S-PE + to choose to reach the target T-PE. This choice is made either + using locally configured information or by using a dynamic PW + path-selection mechanism. + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 17] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + +9.2. Pseudowire Up/Down Notification + + Since a multi-segment PW consists of a number of concatenated PW + segments, the emulated service can only be considered as being up + when all of the constituting PW segments and PSN tunnels are + functional and operational along the entire path of the MS-PW. + + If a native service requires bi-directional connectivity, the + corresponding emulated service can only be signaled as being up when + the PW segments and PSN tunnels (if used), are functional and + operational in both directions. + + RFC 3985 describes the architecture of failure and other status + notification mechanisms for PWs. These mechanisms are also needed in + multi-segment pseudowires. In addition, if a failure notification + mechanism is provided for consecutive segments of the same PW, the + S-PE must propagate such notifications between the consecutive + concatenated segments. + +9.3. Misconnection and Payload Type Mismatch + + Misconnection and payload type mismatch can occur with PWs. + Misconnection can breach the integrity of the system. Payload + mismatch can disrupt the customer network. In both instances, there + are security and operational concerns. + + The services of the underlying tunneling mechanism or the PW control + and OAM protocols can be used to ensure that the identity of the PW + next hop is as expected. As part of the PW setup, a PW-TYPE + identifier is exchanged. This is then used by the forwarder and the + NSP of the T-PEs to verify the compatibility of the ACs. This can + also be used by S-PEs to ensure that concatenated segments of a given + MS-PW are compatible or that an MS-PW is not misconnected into a + local AC. In addition, it is possible to perform an end-to-end + connection verification to check the integrity of the PW, to verify + the identity of S-PEs and check the correct connectivity at S-PEs, + and to verify the identity of the T-PE. + +10. Management and Monitoring + + The management and monitoring as described in RFC 3985 applies here. + + The MS-PW architecture introduces additional considerations related + to management and monitoring, which need to be reflected in the + design of maintenance tools and additional management objects for + MS-PWs. + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 18] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + The first is that each S-PE is a new point at which defects may occur + along the path of the PW. In order to troubleshoot MS-PWs, + management and monitoring should be able to operate on a subset of + the segments of an MS-PW, as well as edge-to-edge. That is, + connectivity verification mechanisms should be able to troubleshoot + and differentiate the connectivity between T-PEs and intermediate + S-PEs, as well as the connectivity between T-PE and T-PE. + + The second is that the set of S-PEs and P-routers along the MS-PW + path may be less optimal than a path between the T-PEs chosen solely + by the underlying PSN routing protocols. This is because the S-PEs + are chosen by the MS-PW path selection mechanism and not by the PSN + routing protocols. Troubleshooting mechanisms should therefore be + provided to verify the set of S-PEs that are traversed by an MS-PW to + reach a T-PE. + + Some of the S-PEs and the T-PEs for an MS-PW may reside in a + different service provider's PSN domain from that of the operator who + initiated the establishment of the MS-PW. These situations may + necessitate the use of remote management of the MS-PW, which is able + to securely operate across provider boundaries. + +11. Congestion Considerations + + The following congestion considerations apply to MS-PWs. These are + in addition to the considerations for PWs described in RFC 3985 [1], + [7], and the respective RFCs specifying each PW type. + + The control plane and the data plane fate-share in traditional IP + networks. The implication of this is that congestion in the data + plane can cause degradation of the operation of the control plane. + Under quiescent operating conditions, it is expected that the network + will be designed to avoid such problems. However, MS-PW mechanisms + should also consider what happens when congestion does occur, when + the network is stretched beyond its design limits, for example, + during unexpected network failure conditions. + + Although congestion within a single provider's network can be + mitigated by suitable engineering of the network so that the traffic + imposed by PWs can never cause congestion in the underlying PSN, a + significant number of MS-PWs are expected to be deployed for inter- + provider services. In this case, there may be no way of a provider + who initiates the establishment of an MS-PW at a T-PE guaranteeing + that it will not cause congestion in a downstream PSN. A specific + PSN may be able to protect itself from excess PW traffic by policing + all PWs at the S-PE at the provider border. However, this may not be + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 19] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + effective when the PSN tunnel across a provider utilizes the transit + services of another provider that cannot distinguish PW traffic from + ordinary, TCP-controlled IP traffic. + + Each segment of an MS-PW therefore needs to implement congestion + detection and congestion control mechanisms where it is not possible + to explicitly provision sufficient capacity to avoid congestion. + + In many cases, only the T-PEs may have sufficient information about + each PW to fairly apply congestion control. Therefore, T-PEs need to + be aware of which of their PWs are causing congestion in a downstream + PSN and of their native service characteristics, and to apply + congestion control accordingly. S-PEs therefore need to propagate + PSN congestion state information between their downstream and + upstream directions. If the MS-PW transits many S-PEs, it may take + some time for congestion state information to propagate from the + congested PSN segment to the source T-PE, thus delaying the + application of congestion control. Congestion control in the S-PE at + the border of the congested PSN can enable a more rapid response and + thus potentially reduce the duration of congestion. + + In addition to protecting the operation of the underlying PSN, + consistent QoS and traffic engineering mechanisms should be used on + each segment of an MS-PW to support the requirements of the emulated + service. The QoS treatment given to a PW packet at an S-PE may be + derived from context information of the PW (e.g., traffic or QoS + parameters signaled to the S-PE by an MS-PW control protocol) or from + PSN-specific QoS flags in the PSN tunnel label or PW demultiplexer, + e.g., TC bits in either the label switched path (LSP) or PW label for + an MPLS PSN or the DS field of the outer IP header for L2TPv3. + +12. Security Considerations + + The security considerations described in RFC 3985 [1] apply here. + Detailed security requirements for MS-PWs are specified in RFC 5254 + [5]. This section describes the architectural implications of those + requirements. + + The security implications for T-PEs are similar to those for PEs in + single-segment pseudowires. However, S-PEs represent a point in the + network where the PW label is exposed to additional processing. An + S-PE or T-PE must trust that the context of the MS-PW is maintained + by a downstream S-PE. OAM tools must be able to verify the identity + of the far end T-PE to the satisfaction of the network operator. + Additional consideration needs to be given to the security of the + S-PEs, both at the data plane and the control plane, particularly + when these are dynamically selected and/or when the MS-PW transits + the networks of multiple operators. + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 20] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + An implicit trust relationship exists between the initiator of an + MS-PW, the T-PEs, and the S-PEs along the MS-PW's path. That is, the + T-PE trusts the S-PEs to process and switch PWs without compromising + the security or privacy of the PW service. An S-PE should not select + a next-hop S-PE or T-PE unless it knows it would be considered + eligible, as defined in Section 1.3, by the originator of the MS-PW. + For dynamically placed MS-PWs, this can be achieved by allowing the + T-PE to explicitly specify the path of the MS-PW. When the MS-PW is + dynamically created by the use of a signaling protocol, an S-PE or + T-PE should determine the authenticity of the peer entity from which + it receives the request and the compliance of that request with + policy. + + Where an MS-PW crosses a border between one provider and another + provider, the MS-PW segment endpoints (S-PEs or T-PEs) or, for the + PSN tunnel, P-routers typically reside on the same nodes as the + Autonomous System Border Router (ASBRs) interconnecting the two + providers. In either case, an S-PE in one provider is connected to a + limited number of trusted T-PEs or S-PEs in the other provider. The + number of such trusted T-PEs or S-PEs is bounded and not anticipated + to create a scaling issue for the control plane authentication + mechanisms. + + Directly interconnecting the S-PEs/T-PEs using a physically secure + link and enabling signaling and routing authentication between the + S-PEs/T-PEs eliminates the possibility of receiving an MS-PW + signaling message or packet from an untrusted peer. The S-PEs/T-PEs + represent security policy enforcement points for the MS-PW, while the + ASBRs represent security policy enforcement points for the provider's + PSNs. This architecture is illustrated in Figure 9. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 21] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + |<------------- MS-PW ---------------->| + | Provider Provider | + AC | |<----1---->| |<----2--->| | AC + | V V V V V V | + | +----+ +-----+ +----+ +----+ | + +---+ | | |=====| |=====| |=====| | | +---+ + | |-------|......PW.....X....PW.....X...PW.......|-------| | + |CE1| | | |Seg 1| |Seg 2| |Seg 3| | | |CE2| + +---+ | | |=====| |=====| |=====| | | +---+ + ^ +----+ +-----+ ^ +----+ +----+ ^ + | T-PE1 S-PE1 | S-PE2 T-PE2 | + | ASBR | ASBR | + | | | + | Physically secure link | + | | + | | + |<------------------- Emulated Service --------------->| + + Figure 9: Directly Connected Inter-Provider Reference Model + + Alternatively, the P-routers for the PSN tunnel may reside on the + ASBRs, while the S-PEs or T-PEs reside behind the ASBRs within each + provider's network. A limited number of trusted inter-provider PSN + tunnels interconnect the provider networks. This is illustrated in + Figure 10. + + |<-------------- MS-PW -------------------->| + | Provider Provider | + AC | |<------1----->| |<-----2------->| | AC + | V V V V V V | + | +---+ +---+ +--+ +--+ +---+ +---+ | + +---+ | | |=====| |===============| |=====| | | +---+ + | |-----|.....PW....X.......PW..............PW....X.|------| | + |CE1| | | |Seg 1| | Seg 2 | |Seg 3| | | |CE2| + +---+ | | |=====| |===============| |=====| | | +---+ + ^ +---+ +---+ +--+ ^ +--+ +---+ +---+ ^ + | T-PE1 S-PE1 ASBR | ASBR S-PE2 T-PE2 | + | | | + | | | + | Trusted Inter-AS PSN Tunnel | + | | + | | + |<------------------- Emulated Service ----------------->| + + Figure 10: Indirectly Connected Inter-Provider Reference Model + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 22] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + Particular consideration needs to be given to Quality of Service + requests because the inappropriate use of priority may impact any + service guarantees given to other PWs. Consideration also needs to + be given to the avoidance of spoofing the PW demultiplexer. + + Where an S-PE provides interconnection between different providers, + security considerations that are similar to the security + considerations for ASBRs apply. In particular, peer entity + authentication should be used. + + Where an S-PE also supports T-PE functionality, mechanisms should be + provided to ensure that MS-PWs are switched correctly to the + appropriate outgoing PW segment, rather than to a local AC. Other + mechanisms for PW endpoint verification may also be used to confirm + the correct PW connection prior to enabling the attachment circuits. + +13. Acknowledgments + + The authors gratefully acknowledge the input of Mustapha Aissaoui, + Dimitri Papadimitrou, Sasha Vainshtein, and Luca Martini. + +14. References + +14.1. Normative References + + [1] Bryant, S., Ed., and P. Pate, Ed., "Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge- + to-Edge (PWE3) Architecture", RFC 3985, March 2005. + + [2] Andersson, L. and T. Madsen, "Provider Provisioned Virtual + Private Network (VPN) Terminology", RFC 4026, March 2005. + + [3] Rosen, E., Viswanathan, A., and R. Callon, "Multiprotocol Label + Switching Architecture", RFC 3031, January 2001. + + [4] Malis, A. and M. Townsley, "Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge + (PWE3) Fragmentation and Reassembly", RFC 4623, August 2006. + +14.2. Informative References + + [5] Bitar, N., Ed., Bocci, M., Ed., and L. Martini, Ed., + "Requirements for Multi-Segment Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge + (PWE3)", RFC 5254, October 2008. + + [6] Niven-Jenkins, B., Ed., Brungard, D., Ed., Betts, M., Ed., + Sprecher, N., and S. Ueno, "Requirements of an MPLS Transport + Profile", RFC 5654, September 2009. + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 23] + +RFC 5659 Multi-Segment PWE3 Architecture October 2009 + + + [7] Bryant, S., Davie, B., Martini, L., and E. Rosen, "Pseudowire + Congestion Control Framework", Work in Progress, June 2009. + + [8] Bocci, M., Bryant, S., and L. Levrau, "A Framework for MPLS in + Transport Networks", Work in Progress, August 2009. + +Authors' Addresses + + Matthew Bocci + Alcatel-Lucent + Voyager Place, Shoppenhangers Road, + Maidenhead, Berks, UK + Phone: +44 1633 413600 + EMail: matthew.bocci@alcatel-lucent.com + + + Stewart Bryant + Cisco Systems + 250, Longwater, + Green Park, + Reading, RG2 6GB, + United Kingdom + EMail: stbryant@cisco.com + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Bocci & Bryant Informational [Page 24] + |