MLPS QOS vs. ATM QOS

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces QOA and follows with describing its function. It then details the differences between ATM and MPLS, the values of MPLS QOS and ATM QOS, traffic engineering, congestion problems and levels of hierarchy. The conclusion compares two solutions for QOS: an ATM switch and an IP router and touts ATM as the preferred solution. The paper finishes by holding that MPLS QOS could replace ATM QOS, but that is not likely to happen in the near future.

From the Paper:

"Simply put, multi-label switching (MPLS) brings the traffic engineering capabilities of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) to packet-based network by tagging IP packets with "labels" that specify a route and priority (Flannaghan, 2001). MPLS unites the scalability and flexibility of routing with the performance and traffic management of layer 2 switching. MPLS can run over nearly any transport medium, including ATM and Ethernet, rather than being tied to a specific layer-2 encapsulation. Because it uses Internet protocol (IP) for addressing, it uses common routing and signaling protocols.
MPLS was not designed to replace ATM but rather to compliment it. MPLS eases complexity by mapping IP addressing and routing information directly into ATM switching tables. The MPLS label-swapping paradigm employs the same mechanism that ATM switches use to forward ATM cells. In the case of ATM-LSR, the ATM forwarding component performs the label swapping function. Label information is carried in the ATM Header.
MPLS has the ability to run over routers in addition to ATM switches, while providing the control component for IP on both the ATM switches and routers. For ATM switches PNNI, ATM ARP Server, and NHRP Server are replaced with MPLS for IP services yet the ATM control plane remains preserved (Zheng, 2001). PNNI is still used on ATM switches to provide ATM services. Therefore, an IP+ATM switch delivers both ATM for fast switching and IP protocols for IP services in a single switch.
In the past, at a specific performance level, the price of a router was usually higher than the equivalent ATM switch. With IP+ATM LSRs, the forwarding performance is determined by the capabilities of the ATM switches, whereas the functionality is comparable to a router. Moreover, IP+ATM switches may also have similar price and performance characteristics to ATM switches."

More papers on MLPS QOS vs. ATM QOS:

• Analytical Essay # 127672 : "Nature vs. Nurture"
• Essay # 32163 : "Brown vs. Board Of Education"
• Term Paper # 120720 : "Nature vs. Nurture"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: