Performance analysis of MPLS TE queues for Qos routing

In order to maximize network resources, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Traffic Engineering (TE) is used in IP networks so that traffic can be routed on a path which may not be chosen by a standard routing method. In this paper, the performance of a proposal creating TE queues for configured MPLS TE tunnels in every router the tunnel traverses is presented. The TE queue creation is a new concept to effectively couple the control plane and the data plane for MPLS TE tunnels. The idea takes advantage of an intelligent Constrained Shortest Path First (CSPF) routing mechanism for MPLS TE to enable QoS routing. It will help service providers minimize the task and cost of implementing a complex bandwidth broker Operation Support System to associate allowed tunnel bandwidth and available queues in the network at the time of provisioning. The mechanism will also ensure that an IP network delivers the stringent QoS required to carry real time traffic such as VoIP. The performance is simulated and analyzed with a Generalized Processor Sharing (GPS) system. According to our results, using TE queues leads to lower overflow probabilities for TE tunnel traffic, and better QoS for real time traffic such as VoIP.