SDN-Based WAN Optimization: PCE Implementation in Multi-Domain MPLS Networks Supported By BGP-LS

Abstract In order to provide efficient and flexible resource management and path set-up in high-speed MPLS/GMPLS networks, the PCE (Path Computation Element) architecture was proposed by IETF. Implementation of a central module for the path set-up enables network operators to run path establishment operations for applications with explicitly defined objective functions and QoS requirements. The paper reports on recent research and experimental investigations with PCE-based path computation performed according to the 3- layered traffic engineering (TE) system consisting of: (1) a PCE module equipped with the IBM Cplex LP solver used in the highest layer 3, and (2) a SDN controller in the intermediate layer 2 responsible for transferring path setup requests towards virtual routers in the lowest layer 1. The presented results show usefulness of the PCE-supporting architecture with an SDN controller and applicability of bandwidth-oriented optimization based on real-time focused constraints (path delay limits). We emphasise that even a simple optimization approach shows the power provided by the SDN, i.e., flexibility of flows. This property is in practice not feasible in classical IP or MPLS networks, that is the usage of flow-based routing provided by network programmability really opens opportunities in network tuning