Creating Butterflies in the Core - A Network Coding Extension for MPLS/RSVP-TE

Network Coding exploits network resources more efficiently than plain routing. Specifically, it reduces packet delays and packet loss rates. Such advantages are especially useful in core networks where many different users can benefit from this at once. Hence, network coding should be transparently integrated in technologies suitable for core networks. We present an extension for MPLS and RSVP-TE which can instantiate network-coded paths in core networks. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated in a proof-of-concept simulation.