ARTICLE
Why use Segment Routing (SR) in today's networks
Home - Blog - Why use Segment Routing (SR) in today's networks
Segment Routing (SR): Understanding the WHY, WHAT, and HOW
In the world of networking, evolution is constant, driven by the ever-growing demands for simplicity, scalability, and operational efficiency. Segment Routing (SR) emerges as a promising solution to address the shortcomings of traditional MPLS protocols like LDP/RSVP-TE. But the question here is why the shift? And what exactly is Segment Routing?
Why Segment Routing?
Traditional MPLS protocols have undoubtedly served as the backbone of networking, offering various Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. However, the complexity of control plane protocols, such as LDP and RSVP-TE, coupled with scalability challenges, has led to operational headaches for service providers. LDP-IGP synchronization issues and the costly bandwidth reservations associated with RSVP-TE have made it clear that a simpler, more scalable solution is needed.
Segment Routing (SR)
Segment Routing offers a fresh approach to packet forwarding, simplifying network operation and scalability while retaining the benefits of MPLS. Unlike traditional MPLS protocols, SR does not require separate signaling components like LDP/RSVP-TE, leading to streamlined architecture and reduced hardware requirements. With SR, TE can be implemented without additional signaling, allowing for more scalable and cost-effective solutions.
Benefits of SR
Segment Routing introduces source-based routing, where nodes choose specific paths for packet forwarding by inserting an ordered list of segments. This approach offers enhanced packet forwarding behavior, allowing networks to transport packets through tailored paths based on application requirements. Moreover, SR seamlessly integrates with existing MPLS infrastructure, making it suitable for brownfield deployments and SDN-ready networks.
Simplify Network Expansion with Segment Routing
One of the key drivers for the fast adoption of SR by Service Providers is the simplicity of network migration. Whether it is migrating legacy L2/L3 networks or upgrading existing MPLS networks, Segment Routing over MPLS delivers a simple migration to a more scalable and manageable deployment network.
Simplicity of network migration is delivered in the following aspects –
- No need for hardware swap-out: SR-MPLS can be delivered on existing whitebox platforms running earlier generations of Broadcom DNX chipsets.
- Contrary to SRv6, which requires hardware support and thus the newer generation of Broadcom DNX based platforms, SR-MPLS can be delivered on Broadcom’s first generation DNX Qumran as well.
- Ease of troubleshooting: This is critical for network operators to manage topologies and isolate potential faults.
- SR-MPLS ensures service delivery using end-to-end Label Switched Paths (LSPs)
- MPLS OAM capabilities of Linktrace and Loopback helps in fault detection and isolation
- With SR, the control plane has been significantly simplified by enhancing the IGP and not relying on LDP or RSVP for signalling.
- Simple licensing scheme: We provide full hardware and software capabilities for SR-MPLS.
Manageability is another key consideration when planning network roll outs. How the network can be managed is critical to the overall performance and scalability of the deployment.
- Our products delivers a Netconf based data model driven management interface
- It is easily integrated with north bound applications for monitoring and management.
- We also have support for standard Open Config data models for ease of integration and interoperability.
- For networks that continue to use SNMP, we continue to support legacy SNMP MIBs, with integrations with a range of network orchestration.
- CLI is perhaps is Cisco-like command-line interface which network admins and operators are familiar with. This also means training the team and onboarding them onto this open networking environment is straightforward.
- For scaled SR networks, Ansible based playbooks are also available delivering network automation capabilities.
- gNMI based Streaming Telemetry delivers device information to north bound applications for monitoring and management.
In addition to the above stated methods, we can offer customers an Element Management System which makes managing devices a point-n-click operation.
Flexibility is the third tenet of the robust our SR-MPLS solution. The SR-MPLS feature set includes cutting edge features, services and transport capabilities giving network designers free reign to set up their topologies as desired. Our NOSes have the relevant IGP extensions for SR in place as well as the support for BGP-LU which allows for high-scalability.
The following transport capabilities are available –
- SR-MPLS
- MPLS (LDP, RSVP)
- VxLAN
- Carrier Ethernet (Layer 2)
On these transports, the following services are available –
- EVPN
- L2VPN
- L3VPN