MPLS Segment Routing in Junos

Abstract

MPLS is almost two decades old technology. While it was sufficient in the past, the exponential growth for Internet related services have found it lacking. Due to rapidly increasing number of devices added to Internet and demand for ever greater bandwidth requirements, the existing network core architecture is simply no longer up to speed. MPLS is both cumbersome to upkeep and troubleshoot and has been found not to scale well enough. The potential answer to these challenges is Segment Routing. Developed by the IETF’s SPRING Work Group, the Segment Routing is purposed to be successor for traditional MPLS networks. Being both scalable and simple, Segment Routing is easy to implement to existing networks. Since with it the label distribution is done via Interior Gateway Protocols it also eliminates need for multiple protocols all the while having seamless deployment.

Beginning from the brief history and explanation of the two technologies to which Segment Routing builds upon, the goal is to give introduction to Segment Routing in a way that is easy to understand and deploy. After explaining the concepts and different types of segments and the overall benefits of Segment Routing, a sample laboratory environment is configured. In lab, the concepts of Segment Routing are tested in practice and their configurations and results proven and documented. The lab consist solely Juniper Networks MX virtual routers, so configurations are seen from point of view of one of the industry leaders.

Result is a both theoretical explanation of Segment Routing architecture and practical immolation, in which the actual configurations and benefits of this technology are tested. Practical implantation also gives actual users point of view on Segment Routing, in contrast of having only the technology developers and device manufacturers input.