We investigated an integrated IP and optical network architecture by introducing GMPLS technologies. To effectively provide various services in this IP/optical network, MPLS interworking with GMPLS is indispensable, because current major Layer 2 and Layer 3 services such as IP-VPN and Ethernet-VPN are mainly based on the MPLS technology. In addition, not only a conventional IPv4 service but also an IPv6 service should be accommodated over GMPLS networks, considering future IPv6 applications. In this presentation, the demonstration results of MPLS and IPv6 transport over GMPLS controlled optical networks are described for the purpose of envisioning the integrating IP/optical network architecture.

The demonstrated optical core network consisted of two GMPLS enabled IP/MPLS routers and photonic cross connects (PXCs). As the demonstrated IP network, two IPv4 PE routers and one IPv6 router were also used. The two PXCs as well as a GMPLS router and a PXC were connected by a GbE link and an OC-192 link. The connection between PE and GMPLS routers was a GbE link. Firstly, bi-directional IPv4 GMPLS LSPs were set up between GMPLS routers. RSVP-TE messages with GMPLS extensions were propagated over an out of band GMPLS control plane and lambda paths were successfully created. These LSPs were advertised as a TE link to PE routers and GMPLS routers became IP/MPLS routing adjacency for one another. Embedding over the GMPLS LSP, a packet LSP (IPv4) was set up between PE routers using RSVP-TE messages. The LSP with 1 Gbit/s bandwidth was successfully created over GMPLS LSP and 1 Gbit/s packet transport was confirmed using router testers.

Secondly, IPv6 transport over the GMPLS network was evaluated. In this case, one IPv6 router was attached to the GMPLS router. Since current GMPLS network implementation allowed only IPv4 addresses, the 6PE method was utilized to transport the IPv6 packet, by allowing GMPLS routers to be operated as an IPv6/MPLS edge. After a BGP session was initiated over the GMPLS tunnel and IPv6 routing information was exchanged, IPv6 packets encapsulated by the MPLS label were successfully transported. By running OSPFv3 between the IPv6 router and one GMPLS router, the IPv6 reachability through the GMPLS tunnel could be confirmed from an IPv6 interface on the IPv6 router to an IPv6 interface of another GMPLS router by ICMP version 6.

In conclusion, we demonstrated MPLS and IPv6 transport over GMPLS-controlled optical networks. We successfully created the MPLS LSP embedded over the GMPLS LSP and confirmed a packet transport using these hierarchical LSPs. Moreover, we could achieve IPv6 packet transport over a GMPLS LSP thanks to the 6PE method implemented in GMPLS routers. Indeed, these demonstrated functions are some of the basic features in IP/optical network architecture, and more interworking operation between MPLS and GMPLS is expected to enrich IP/optical networks and increase their appeal in the near future.